Los Angeles Southwest College vs. RHC

Comparable Facts

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

Rio Hondo College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (17,441 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); Rio Hondo College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rio Hondo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Rio Hondo College 31:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. RHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or RHC? 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 RHC ($6,361 vs. $16,449).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rio Hondo College are 13.1% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($22,086 vs. $25,407).
• Rio Hondo College is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $150 more per year; $1,388.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Rio Hondo College (about $688 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Rio Hondo College (86% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 31.2% larger than aid received by Rio Hondo College students ($6,622 vs. $5,049).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. RHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Los Angeles Southwest College or RHC? 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 RHC 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; RHC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026; RHC Aug 20, 2027.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. RHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and RHC? 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 Rio Hondo College earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More RHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (34% 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.