Chaffey College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Chaffey College is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (22,460 students vs. 20,986 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chaffey College is located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Chaffey College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chaffey College 25:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

Chaffey College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chaffey 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 Chaffey College than Southwestern College ($7,809 vs. $15,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 4.6% lower than at Chaffey College ($23,897 vs. $25,038).
• Southwestern College is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chaffey College (about $160 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,184.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Chaffey College than at Southwestern College (about $480 more per year; $11,120.00 vs. $10,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chaffey College than at Southwestern College (87% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Chaffey College students ($6,821 vs. $5,787).

Chaffey College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

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

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

Chaffey College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chaffey 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 Chaffey College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Southwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chaffey College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 35%)

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.