Allan Hancock College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA with Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Allan Hancock College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (11,463 students vs. 5,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Allan Hancock College is located in Santa Maria, CA (Small City setting); Los Angeles Southwest College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Allan Hancock College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Allan Hancock College 28:1; Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1.

Allan Hancock College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Allan Hancock College or Los Angeles Southwest College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Los Angeles Southwest College than Allan Hancock College ($6,361 vs. $8,029).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allan Hancock College are 23.5% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($19,431 vs. $25,407).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Allan Hancock College (about $82 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Allan Hancock College (about $680 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Allan Hancock College (86% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Allan Hancock College students ($6,622 vs. $5,495).

Allan Hancock College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Allan Hancock College or Los Angeles Southwest College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Los Angeles Southwest College and Allan Hancock College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Allan Hancock College - Open admission; Los Angeles Southwest College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026.

Allan Hancock College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Allan Hancock College and Los Angeles Southwest College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Allan Hancock College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Allan Hancock College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allan Hancock College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More Allan Hancock College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 21%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.