Laney College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Laney College in Oakland, 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 Laney College based on total student enrollment (20,986 students vs. 9,328 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Laney College is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Laney College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Laney College 31:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

Laney College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laney 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 Laney College ($15,148 vs. $17,741).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laney College are 4.5% lower than at Southwestern College ($22,820 vs. $23,897).
• Southwestern College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Laney College (about $86 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,258.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Southwestern College than at Laney College (about $742 more per year; $10,640.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Laney College (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 32.1% larger than aid received by Laney College students ($6,821 vs. $5,164).

Laney College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

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

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

Laney College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Laney 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 Laney College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 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 Laney College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Laney College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More Laney College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (38% 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.