Pasadena City College vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA with Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pasadena City College is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 20,986 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pasadena City College 23:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

Pasadena City College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City College or Southwestern 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 Pasadena City College than Southwestern College ($6,888 vs. $15,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 18.7% lower than at Southwestern College ($19,431 vs. $23,897).
• Southwestern College is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $164 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Southwestern College than at Pasadena City College (about $820 more per year; $10,640.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Pasadena City College (86% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Pasadena City College students ($6,821 vs. $6,759).

Pasadena City College vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City College or Southwestern 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 Southwestern College and Pasadena City College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pasadena City College - Open admission; Southwestern College - Open admission.

Pasadena City College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pasadena City College and Southwestern 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 Pasadena City College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pasadena City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pasadena City College graduates ($46 vs. $56).
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 36%)

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.