Los Angeles Southwest College vs. West Valley College

Comparable Facts

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

West Valley College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (7,655 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); West Valley College is in Saratoga, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; West Valley College 29:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. West Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or West Valley 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 West Valley College ($6,361 vs. $7,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Southwest College are 28.1% lower than at West Valley College ($25,407 vs. $35,361).
• West Valley College is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Southwest College (about $252 more per year; $1,490.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at West Valley College (about $1,870 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $8,702.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at West Valley College (86% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 37.8% larger than aid received by West Valley College students ($6,622 vs. $4,806).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. West Valley College Admissions comparison

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

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. West Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and West Valley 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 West Valley College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,100 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More West Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.