Hartnell College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College

Comparable Facts

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

Hartnell College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (11,273 students vs. 5,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); Los Angeles Southwest College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hartnell 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: Hartnell College 22:1; Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1.

Hartnell College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell 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 Hartnell College than Los Angeles Southwest College ($5,246 vs. $6,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Southwest College are 12.2% lower than at Hartnell College ($25,407 vs. $28,953).
• Hartnell College is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $166 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Hartnell College (about $198 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at Los Angeles Southwest College (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Hartnell College students ($6,622 vs. $6,263).

Hartnell College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Admissions comparison

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

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

Hartnell College vs. Los Angeles Southwest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell 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 Hartnell College earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Hartnell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (27% 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.