Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merced College

Comparable Facts

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

Merced College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (12,472 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); Merced College is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Merced College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Merced College 28:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merced College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or Merced 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 Merced College ($6,361 vs. $6,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merced College are 23.5% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($19,432 vs. $25,407).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merced College (about $38 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Merced College (about $2,052 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $8,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merced College than at Los Angeles Southwest College (88% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merced College students is 13% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students ($7,480 vs. $6,622).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merced College Admissions comparison

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

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merced College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and Merced 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 Merced College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,300 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.