Cabrillo College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (20,986 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College ($15,148 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 5.5% lower than at Cabrillo College ($23,897 vs. $25,281).
• Southwestern College is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $74 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Southwestern College than at Cabrillo College (about $778 more per year; $10,640.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Cabrillo College (86% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($6,821 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; Southwestern College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 36%)

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.