Los Angeles Trade Technical College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Trade Technical College in Los Angeles, CA with Smith Chason College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (12,519 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Trade Technical College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Trade Technical College 26:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Trade Technical College or Smith Chason 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 Trade Technical College than Smith Chason College ($13,154 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 13.1% lower than at Los Angeles Trade Technical College ($22,086 vs. $25,407).
• Smith Chason College is 1,438% more expensive for in-state tuition than Los Angeles Trade Technical College (about $17,802 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at Smith Chason College than at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (about $8,468 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Trade Technical College than at Smith Chason College (87% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Trade Technical College students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Smith Chason College students ($6,746 vs. $6,731).

Los Angeles Trade Technical College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Los Angeles Trade Technical College or Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Los Angeles Trade Technical College - Open admission; Smith Chason College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Trade Technical College Sep 7, 2026.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Trade Technical College and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $23,900 more per year than Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates have a $14,625 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($5,375 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates have an estimated $151 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($55 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Trade Technical College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 26%)

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.