- Every year, approximately 7,500 students enroll in credit-bearing courses at South Mountain Community College (SMCC). More than half of all students attend SMCC with the intent to transfer to accredited colleges and universities, with a growing number graduating with a degree or certificate at SMCC prior to transfer.
- SMCC reflects the diversity of its service area, a rich mix of rural, urban, and suburban neighborhoods. Many of our students arrive from Phoenix, Laveen, Tempe, Guadalupe and surrounding communities to attend classes, both at the main campus near 24th Street and Baseline Road, and our offsite facilities in Guadalupe and Laveen.
- Our small, personalized classes are offered days, evenings and online, and are led by an engaged and accomplished faculty. Career and academic counseling are also available. One of the ten colleges within the Maricopa Community College District, SMCC is a federally-designated Minority Serving Institution and Hispanic Serving Institution. SMCC is also a Strengths-Based Institution, helping you first determine your own personal strengths, and then strategies to maximize those strengths in your academic and career choices. Visit our Main Campus at 7050 S. 24th Street; our Guadalupe Center, 9233 S. Avenida del Yaqui (Priest Road, south of Guadalupe Road); or our Laveen Center, 7900 S. 43rd Avenue. We look forward to helping you reach your educational and career goals!
School Highlights
South Mountain Community College serves 5,294 students (23% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is lower than the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 61%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 5,294 students
- In-state tuition: $1,854
- Out-state tuition: $7,638
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Student:teacher ratio: 18:1
- Minority enrollment: 81%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
South Mountain Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 296 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
South Mountain Community College
(AZ) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate's
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
296 staff
202 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of South Mountain Community College has grown by 22% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The South Mountain Community College diversity score of 0.64 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,294 students
5,392 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
1,238 students
1,208 students
# Part-Time Students
4,056 students
4,184 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
529 students
339 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,238 students
1,238 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
66 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
4,056 students
5,400 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
250 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
3%
3%
% Asian
3%
4%
% Hispanic
55%
36%
% Black
13%
7%
% White
19%
39%
% Hawaiian
n/a
2%
% Two or more races
4%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
2%
4%
Diversity Score
0.64
0.71
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
17%
49%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
60%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,500
$32,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,854 is less than the state average of $3,445. The in-state tuition has declined by 10% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,638 is less than the state average of $8,201. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,854
$3,445
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,638
$8,201
Tuition Notes
$5,000 for in-state residents
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
77%
82%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,748
$9,499
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,500
$4,750
Acceptance Rate
100%
100%
Sports
Total Sports Offered
6 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
17 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Behavioral Health Services (BHS), Bilingual Student Nursing Association (BSNA), Black Student Union (BSU), Circle of Nations, Club Teach, Collegiate DECA (Business Club), International Friends Club, MEChA, Medical Scrub Club, Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society), Pre-Pharmacy Club, SHPE: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Spirit Club, Spotlight Productions (Drama Club), Student Governance, Think South Mountain (TSM), Veterans Club
Behavioral Health Services (BHS), Bilingual Student Nursing Association (BSNA), Black Student Union (BSU), Circle of Nations, Club Teach, Collegiate DECA (Business Club), International Friends Club, MEChA, Medical Scrub Club, Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society), Pre-Pharmacy Club, SHPE: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Spirit Club, Spotlight Productions (Drama Club), Student Governance, Think South Mountain (TSM), Veterans Club
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Our Vision
- South Mountain Community College educates minds, transforms lives, touches hearts, and builds community.
- Our Mission
- South Mountain Community College provides quality higher education for our diverse community. We create a caring teaching and learning environment that fosters student development and supports productive citizenship in an increasingly global and technological society.
- Our purpose is to meet these needs by offering:
- General education courses
- Transfer programsOccupational education and career development
- Continuing education
- Developmental studies and English as a second language
- Cultural, civic, and social events
- Academic support and student services
- Our Values
- We are inspired and guided by our core values:
- COLLABORATION:We are inclusive in our relationships with colleagues, departments and community, and respectful of their ideas.
- COMMUNITY:We serve our community by recognizing our inter-dependence, celebrating our history, honoring our diverse cultures, and building our future.
- EXCELLENCE:We model exemplary teaching, learning, service and leadership through continuous improvement, creativity and innovation.
- INTEGRITY:We are accountable to the communities we serve and are truthful, sincere, transparent and responsible for our actions.
- WELLBEING:We are a college community that encourages and develops social, physical, career, community and financial wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does South Mountain Community College cost?
South Mountain Community College's tuition is approximately $1,854 for In-State students and $7,638 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of South Mountain Community College?
The acceptance rate of South Mountain Community College is 100%, which is equal to the state average of 100%.
What sports does South Mountain Community College offer?
South Mountain Community College offers 6 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball.
What is South Mountain Community College's ranking?
South Mountain Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Arizona for: Least expensive tuition.
In what neighborhood is South Mountain Community College located?
South Mountain Community College is located in the South Mountain Village neighborhood of Phoenix, AZ.
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