Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Valley College

Comparable Facts

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

Los Angeles Valley College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (15,999 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); Los Angeles Valley College is in Valley Glen, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Los Angeles Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Los Angeles Valley College 28:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or Valley 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 Valley College ($6,361 vs. $13,550).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Los Angeles Southwest College and Valley College ($25,407).
• Los Angeles Southwest College and Valley College have the same published in-state tuition ($1,238.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at Los Angeles Southwest College as at Los Angeles Valley College ($10,572.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Los Angeles Valley College (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Valley College students ($6,622 vs. $6,243).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Valley College Admissions comparison

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

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and Valley 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 Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Valley College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,500).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valley College graduates ($46 vs. $87).
• More Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (39% 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.