- 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 9,346 students (35% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 45%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 9,346 students
- In-state tuition: $3,843
- Out-state tuition: $14,907
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Student:teacher ratio: 12:1
- Minority enrollment: 79%
- 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 788 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Southwest Tennessee Community College
(TN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
788 staff
152 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Southwest Tennessee Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The Southwest Tennessee Community College diversity score of 0.56 is less than the state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has grown by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment
9,346 students
699 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
18:1
# Full-Time Students
3,273 students
426 students
# Part-Time Students
6,073 students
273 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
934 students
504 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,273 students
426 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
12 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
6,073 students
335 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
12 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
195 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
2%
4%
% Hispanic
9%
6%
% Black
62%
19%
% White
21%
55%
% Hawaiian
2%
9%
% Two or more races
2%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
1%
3%
Diversity Score
0.56
0.65
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.1454%
0.6038%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.5213%
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 14% 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 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,843
$5,176
Out-State Tuition Fees
$14,907
$15,746
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
89%
97%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$11,059
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$5,000
Acceptance Rate
100%
92%
SAT Total Avg.
417
455
SAT Reading (Year 2012)
430
455
SAT Math
417
455
SAT Writing
n/a
469
ACT Total Avg.
48
58
ACT Composite
16
20
ACT English
16
19
ACT Math
16
19
Source: 2024 (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 92%.
What is Southwest Tennessee Community College's ranking?
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Tennessee for: 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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