Los Angeles Southwest College vs. San Jose City College

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose City College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (8,609 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 Jose City College is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Jose City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; San Jose City College 26:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or San Jose 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 Jose City College ($6,361 vs. $19,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose City College are 10.8% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($22,658 vs. $25,407).
• San Jose City College is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $128 more per year; $1,366.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at San Jose City College than at Los Angeles Southwest College (about $1,350 more per year; $11,922.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at San Jose City College (86% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 15.9% larger than aid received by San Jose City College students ($6,622 vs. $5,712).

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

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

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

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and San Jose 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 Jose City College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,200 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than San Jose City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,250).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose City College graduates ($46 vs. $54).
• More San Jose City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.