Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Mendocino College

Comparable Facts

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

Los Angeles Southwest College is larger than Mendocino College based on total student enrollment (5,371 students vs. 4,225 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Southwest College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); Mendocino College is in Ukiah, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Mendocino College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Mendocino College 16:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Mendocino College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or Mendocino 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 Mendocino College ($6,361 vs. $9,798).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mendocino College are 34.7% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($16,580 vs. $25,407).
• Mendocino College is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $185 more per year; $1,423.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Mendocino College (about $569 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,003.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Mendocino College (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mendocino College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students ($7,180 vs. $6,622).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Mendocino College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Los Angeles Southwest College or Mendocino College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mendocino 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; Mendocino College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Mendocino College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and Mendocino College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Mendocino College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,400 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Mendocino College graduates ($4,500 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mendocino College graduates ($46 vs. $134).
• More Mendocino College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.