Southwestern College (Chula Vista)

900 Otay Lakes Rd
Chula Vista, CA 91910
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Tel: (619) 421-6700
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  • Southwestern College is committed to meeting the educational goals of its students in an environment that promotes intellectual growth and develops human potential.

School Highlights

Southwestern College (Chula Vista) serves 19,000 students (40% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 43:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 68%.

Top Placements

Southwestern College (Chula Vista) places among the top 20% of community colleges in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 439 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Southwestern College (Chula Vista)(CA) Community College Avg.
Institution LevelAt least 2 but less than 4 yearsAt least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution ControlPublicPublic
Total Faculty439 staff97 staff
This chart display total faculty of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 43:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Southwestern College (Chula Vista) diversity score of 0.64 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment19,000 students7,516 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio43:144:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
# Full-Time Students7,642 students1,613 students
This chart display the total number of Full-Time students enrollment of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and average number of community college Full-Time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
# Part-Time Students11,358 students5,903 students
This chart display the total number of Part-Time students enrollment of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and average number of community college Part-Time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
This chart display the Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Southwestern College (Chula Vista). This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
-
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Asian
17%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Hispanic
53%
37%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Black
4%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% White
22%
32%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Hawaiian
1%
-
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Southwestern College (Chula Vista). This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score0.640.73
This chart display the diversity score of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
College Completion Rate
19%
29%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)$34,700$34,600
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Finances and Admission

The public in-state tuition of $1,336 is less than the state average of $1,636. The in-state tuition has grown by 26% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,452 is less than the state average of $6,797. The out-state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees$1,336$1,636
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees$5,452$6,797
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid78%78%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates$4,500$9,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts$3,545$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern College (Chula Vista) and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS

School Notes

  • Established in 1961, Southwestern College is one of 109 public community colleges in the state of California and the only institute of higher education located in the southern portion of San Diego County. Its location—nestled between the City of San Diego and the U.S.-Mexico international border on a 156-acre plot—positions it to play an important role in the intellectual growth of the more than 400,000 residents that call South County home. Serving approximately 19,000 students annually, Southwestern College offers more than 285 associate degree and certificate options. A host of noncredit courses designed to enhance personal and professional development are also offered through the College's Continuing Education department. Southwestern College has continuously received accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Whether pursuing an A.A. degree, preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university, or acquiring new occupational skills, students attending Southwestern College are given every opportunity to meet their educational goals. In addition to its centers, Southwestern College also provides off-campus classes at several extension sites throughout the district and operates an Aquatic Center in Coronado in conjunction with the California Department of Boating and Waterways. Current enrollment—at all locations—exceeds 19,000 students. More than a half-million students have attended Southwestern College since opening its doors 40 years ago.

Nearby Schools

The nearest community college to Southwestern College (Chula Vista) is Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista (5.7 miles away).
  • College Location Mi. Students
  • Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista
    Private, for profit
    901 students | 5.70 Mi780 Bay Blvd Suite101
    Chula Vista,  CA  91910
    (619) 425-3200     5.70901
  • Concorde Career College-San Diego
    Private, for profit
    967 students | 7.40 Mi4393 Imperial Avenue, Suite 100
    San Diego,  CA  92113
    (619) 688-0800     7.40967
  • Cuyamaca College
    Public
    8,644 students | 7.80 Mi900 Rancho San Diego Pky
    El Cajon,  CA  92019
    (619) 660-4000     7.808,644
  • Platt College-San Diego
    Private, for profit
    316 students | 9.30 Mi6250 El Cajon Blvd
    San Diego,  CA  92115
    (619) 265-0107     9.30316
  • Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Diego
    Private, for profit
    142 students | 10.30 Mi350 Tenth Avenue, Third Floor
    San Diego,  CA  92101
    (619) 235-2049     10.30142
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Quick Stats (2021)
  • Top Ranked CA Community College:
    View Top Placements
  • Students: 19,000 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,336
  • Out-state tuition: $5,452
  • Student:teacher ratio: 43:1
  • Minority enrollment: 78%
Did You Know?
For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,636 per year for in-state students and $6,797 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,157 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 86%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.73, which is higher than the national average of 0.65. The most diverse community college in California is Coastline Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.
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