Los Angeles Southwest College vs. San Diego City College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego City College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (13,242 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); San Diego City College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; San Diego City College 22:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. San Diego City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or San Diego City 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 San Diego City College ($6,361 vs. $10,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Southwest College are 18.7% lower than at San Diego City College ($25,407 vs. $31,243).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego City College (about $92 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at San Diego City College (about $570 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego City College than at Los Angeles Southwest College (87% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego City College students is 58.6% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students ($10,500 vs. $6,622).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. San Diego City College Admissions comparison

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

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. San Diego City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and San Diego City 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 San Diego City College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,200 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego City College and Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have the same median loan debt ($4,500 vs. $4,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, San Diego City College and Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($46 vs. $46).
• More San Diego City 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.