Bakersfield College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 20,986 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

Bakersfield College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or Southwestern 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 Southwestern College than Bakersfield College ($15,148 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 1.2% lower than at Bakersfield College ($23,897 vs. $24,192).
• Bakersfield College is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern College (about $86 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,344.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Bakersfield College than at Southwestern College (about $660 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $10,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Bakersfield College (86% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Bakersfield College students ($6,821 vs. $5,940).

Bakersfield College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or Southwestern 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 Southwestern College and Bakersfield College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; Southwestern College - Open admission.

Bakersfield College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and Southwestern 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 Bakersfield College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $4,455 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($46 vs. $92).
• More Southwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 26%)

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.