Gavilan College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Gavilan College in Gilroy, CA with Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gavilan College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (6,083 students vs. 5,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gavilan College is located in Gilroy, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Los Angeles Southwest College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Gavilan 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: Gavilan College 27:1; Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1.

Gavilan College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gavilan 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 Gavilan College ($6,361 vs. $8,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gavilan College are 13.1% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($22,086 vs. $25,407).
• Gavilan College is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $270 more per year; $1,508.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Gavilan College than at Los Angeles Southwest College (about $1,677 more per year; $12,249.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Gavilan College (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Gavilan College students ($6,622 vs. $5,577).

Gavilan College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Admissions comparison

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

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

Gavilan College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gavilan 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 Gavilan College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Gavilan College graduates ($4,500 vs. $7,500).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gavilan College graduates ($46 vs. $77).
• More Gavilan College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.