Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Las Positas College

Comparable Facts

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

Las Positas College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (8,103 students vs. 5,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Southwest College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); Las Positas College is in Livermore, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Las Positas College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Las Positas College 25:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Las Positas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or Las Positas 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 Las Positas College ($6,361 vs. $8,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Las Positas College are 9.2% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($23,076 vs. $25,407).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Las Positas College (about $70 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Las Positas College (about $764 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,808.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Las Positas College (86% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 72.5% larger than aid received by Las Positas College students ($6,622 vs. $3,839).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Las Positas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Los Angeles Southwest College or Las Positas 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 Las Positas College 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; Las Positas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026; Las Positas College Aug 1, 2027.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Las Positas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and Las Positas 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 Las Positas College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Las Positas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.