- Southwest has an outstanding and highly dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to your success. Our mission is to anticipate and respond to the educational needs of students, employers, and communities within our service area. We strive to provide an effective teaching and learning environment designed to raise educational levels, enhance economic development, and enrich personal lives. As a comprehensive, open-access, culturally diverse, public two-year college, Southwest is committed to meeting the educational needs of individual students, communities, and employers through credit and non-credit instruction using both distance learning technology and traditional campus-based classes. Southwest promotes student success in a supportive teaching and learning environment designed to raise educational levels, promote work readiness skills, enhance career advancement, prepare for university transfer, and enrich personal lives.
School Highlights
Southwest Tennessee Community College serves 7,004 students (41% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 33:1 is higher than the state community college average of 25:1.
Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 38%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 7,004 students
- In-state tuition: $3,843
- Out-state tuition: $14,907
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Student-teacher ratio: 33:1
- Minority enrollment: 80%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 215 teachers has declined by 72% over five years.
Southwest Tennessee Community College
(TN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
0
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
0
Institution Control
Public
0
Total Faculty
215 staff
38 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
16
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Southwest Tennessee Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 33:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The Southwest Tennessee Community College diversity score of 0.53 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has declined by 10% over five years.
Total Enrollment
7,004 students
1,083 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
33:1
25:1
# Full-Time Students
2,859 students
416 students
# Part-Time Students
4,145 students
667 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
418 students
394 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,859 students
378 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
93 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
4,145 students
776 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
64 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
446 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
2%
2%
% Hispanic
9%
8%
% Black
65%
20%
% White
20%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
1%
3%
Diversity Score
0.53
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
15%
65%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$28,300
$29,000
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $3,843 is less than the state average of $5,176. The in-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $14,907 is less than the state average of $15,746. The out-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,843
$5,176
Out-State Tuition Fees
$14,907
$15,746
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
94%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$11,059
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$5,000
Acceptance Rate
100%
87%
SAT Total Avg.
417
455
SAT Reading (Year 2012)
430
455
SAT Math
417
455
SAT Writing
n/a
477
ACT Total Avg.
48
58
ACT Composite
16
20
ACT English
16
19
ACT Math
16
19
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Southwest Tennessee Community College has a number of Campuses, Centers, and Sites to make getting your degree more convenient. The Macon Cove Campus at 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN, 38134, is right off the I-40 and I-240 expressways in the eastern part of the city. Southwest's intensive technology programs are based at Macon Cove. Through multiple partnerships, alliances, licensing and certification programs, service grants, and extensive computer training facilities, Southwest has forged strong, mutually supportive ties to business and industry in the metropolitan area. Macon's 100-acre campus offers a suburban ambiance, enhanced by a quiet lake that provides year-round habitat to flocks of ducks and other waterfowl. The College Offers Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Science degrees, academic and technical certificate programs, and courses that prepare students for transfer, employment, and career advancement in areas that include allied health sciences, nursing, business, computer technologies, criminal justice, education, and engineering and related technologies, while continually developing new programs in emerging fields. Southwest is accredited to award associate degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Southwest Tennessee Community College cost?
Southwest Tennessee Community College's tuition is approximately $3,843 for In-State students and $14,907 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Southwest Tennessee Community College?
The acceptance rate of Southwest Tennessee Community College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 87%.
What is Southwest Tennessee Community College's ranking?
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Tennessee for: Average community college minority breakdown and Largest student body.
In what neighborhood is Southwest Tennessee Community College located?
Southwest Tennessee Community College is located in the Medical District neighborhood of Memphis, TN. There are 1 other community '.college.' located in Medical District.
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