Southwestern College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (20,986 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Southwestern College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern 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 Southwestern College than Smith Chason College ($15,148 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 7.6% lower than at Southwestern College ($22,086 vs. $23,897).
• Smith Chason College is 1,316.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern College (about $17,696 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,344.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.9% higher at Smith Chason College than at Southwestern College (about $8,400 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $10,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Smith Chason College (86% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Smith Chason College students ($6,821 vs. $6,731).

Southwestern College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern 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 Southwestern College.

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

Southwestern College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern 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 $22,100 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($4,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($46 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.