Grossmont College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grossmont College in El Cajon, 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 Grossmont College based on total student enrollment (20,986 students vs. 14,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Grossmont College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grossmont College 24:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

Grossmont College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grossmont 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 Grossmont College than Southwestern College ($8,351 vs. $15,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grossmont College are 7.6% lower than at Southwestern College ($22,086 vs. $23,897).
• Southwestern College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grossmont College (about $12 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Southwestern College than at Grossmont College (about $12 more per year; $10,640.00 vs. $10,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Grossmont College (86% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Grossmont College students ($6,821 vs. $6,370).

Grossmont College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grossmont College - Open admission; Southwestern College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

Grossmont College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grossmont 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 Grossmont College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College and Grossmont College graduates have the same median loan debt ($4,500 vs. $4,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southwestern College and Grossmont College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($46 vs. $46).
• More Grossmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.