Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merritt College

Comparable Facts

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

Merritt College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (7,022 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); Merritt College is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Merritt College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Merritt College 33:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merritt College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or Merritt 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 Merritt College ($6,361 vs. $15,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merritt College are 10.2% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($22,820 vs. $25,407).
• Merritt College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $20 more per year; $1,258.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Merritt College (about $674 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Merritt College (86% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Merritt College students ($6,622 vs. $4,972).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merritt College Admissions comparison

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

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Merritt College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and Merritt 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 Merritt College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Merritt College graduates ($4,500 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merritt College graduates ($46 vs. $118).
• More Merritt College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (27% 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.