Los Angeles Southwest College

1600 W. Imperial Hwy.
Los Angeles, CA 90047
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) has and continues to be a catalyst for change in its community through the programs it offers and the services it provides. Students come to LASC for a variety of reasons - from attaining work skills necessary to seek employment in their chosen field to preparing for transfer to colleges and universities to receive their Baccalaureate degree to accessing non-credit offerings such as citizenship and English language training to further specific personal goals. Often, students enroll at LASC and just immerse themselves in lifespan learning. Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is a learner-centered institution dedicated to meeting the needs of learners – the students and community who access the college for programs; and the faculty, staff and administrators who provide learning opportunities and support.

School Highlights

Los Angeles Southwest College serves 5,216 students (13% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 5,216 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,220
  • Out-state tuition: $6,810
  • Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
  • Minority enrollment: 99%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Los Angeles Southwest College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 312 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Los Angeles Southwest College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
312 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Los Angeles Southwest College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Los Angeles Southwest College has declined by 18% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 has decreased from 21:1 over five years.
The Los Angeles Southwest College diversity score of 0.57 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has declined by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,216 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Los Angeles Southwest College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Los Angeles Southwest College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
698 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Los Angeles Southwest College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
4,518 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Los Angeles Southwest College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Los Angeles Southwest College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
345 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
698 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Los Angeles Southwest College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
4,518 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
1%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
38%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
53%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
1%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
2%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
1%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
4%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Los Angeles Southwest College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.57
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Los Angeles Southwest College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
22%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Los Angeles Southwest College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,200
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Los Angeles Southwest College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,220 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,810 is less than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 9% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,220
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Los Angeles Southwest College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,810
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Los Angeles Southwest College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
80%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Los Angeles Southwest College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,038
$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Los Angeles Southwest College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,500
$6,239
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Los Angeles Southwest College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • On September 11, 1967, Los Angeles Southwest College officially opened its doors with 600 students and 22 full-time faculty members. Since then, Los Angeles Southwest College has established itself as an educational and cultural hub of the southern part of Los Angeles and surrounding communities. In addition to classroom instruction, students are exposed to a myriad of learning experiences to broaden their horizons, to expand their options and alternatives, to develop an appreciation for the academic work ethic, and to understand intellectual pursuits. Our graduates are among the most successful — ranging from medical professionals and professional athletes to recording artists and educators. To accomplish the educational philosophy and mission of the Los Angeles Community Colleges, Los Angeles Southwest College offers the following types of educational programs Transfer, Occupational, General Education, Transitional Education, Continuing Education, Community Services and Joint Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Los Angeles Southwest College cost?
Los Angeles Southwest College's tuition is approximately $1,220 for In-State students and $6,810 for Out-State students.
What is Los Angeles Southwest College's ranking?
Los Angeles Southwest College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Average community college minority breakdown.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 5,216 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,220
  • Out-state tuition: $6,810
  • Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
  • Minority enrollment: 99%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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Did You Know?

For Los Angeles County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,305 per year for in-state students and $8,200 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $24,360 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Los Angeles County, CA is 75%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Los Angeles County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.61, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Los Angeles County, CA is FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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