Southwestern College vs. West Los Angeles College

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern College is larger than West Los Angeles College based on total student enrollment (20,986 students vs. 9,255 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Southwestern College vs. West Los Angeles College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College than Southwestern College ($11,164 vs. $15,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 5.9% lower than at West Los Angeles College ($23,897 vs. $25,407).
• Southwestern College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Los Angeles College (about $106 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Southwestern College than at West Los Angeles College (about $68 more per year; $10,640.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at West Los Angeles College (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 16.5% larger than aid received by West Los Angeles College students ($6,821 vs. $5,857).

Southwestern College vs. West Los Angeles College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern College or West Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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; West Los Angeles College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Los Angeles College Jun 1, 2027.

Southwestern College vs. West Los Angeles College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern College and West Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than West Los Angeles College graduates ($4,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Los Angeles College graduates ($46 vs. $98).
• More Southwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Los Angeles College students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.