Los Angeles Southwest College vs. College of Marin

Comparable Facts

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

Los Angeles Southwest College is larger than College of Marin based on total student enrollment (5,371 students vs. 4,838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Southwest College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); College of Marin is in Kentfield, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of Marin is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; College of Marin 17:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. College of Marin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or College of Marin? 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 College of Marin ($6,361 vs. $14,662).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Marin are 3% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($24,645 vs. $25,407).
• College of Marin is 25.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $320 more per year; $1,558.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at College of Marin (about $1,238 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at College of Marin (86% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 8.3% larger than aid received by College of Marin students ($6,622 vs. $6,117).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. College of Marin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Los Angeles Southwest College or College of Marin? 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 College of Marin and Los Angeles Southwest College.

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

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. College of Marin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and College of Marin? 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 College of Marin earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $9,875 lower median loan debt than College of Marin graduates ($4,500 vs. $14,375).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of Marin graduates ($46 vs. $148).
• More College of Marin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (29% 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.