Southwestern College

900 Otay Lakes Rd.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • 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 serves 17,621 students (36% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 17,621 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,336
  • Out-state tuition: $5,452
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 89%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Southwestern College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 880 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Southwestern 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
880 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Southwestern 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 Southwestern College has declined by 8% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 has decreased from 22:1 over five years.
The Southwestern College diversity score of 0.53 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has grown by 18% over five years.
Total Enrollment
17,621 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Southwestern College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Southwestern College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
6,403 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Southwestern 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
11,218 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Southwestern 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 Southwestern College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
125 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
6,403 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Southwestern 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
11,218 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 Southwestern College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
12%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Southwestern College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
66%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Southwestern College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
4%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Southwestern College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
11%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Southwestern College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in Southwestern College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Southwestern 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
n/a
3%
% Unknown races
2%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Southwestern College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.53
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Southwestern 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)
29%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Southwestern 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)
$34,700
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Southwestern 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 $1,336 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 $5,452 is less than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 17% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,336
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Southwestern 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
$5,452
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Southwestern 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
89%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Southwestern 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
$4,900
$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern 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
$4,000
$6,239
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern 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

  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Southwestern College cost?
Southwestern College's tuition is approximately $1,336 for In-State students and $5,452 for Out-State students.
What is Southwestern College's ranking?
Southwestern College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Least expensive tuition, Average community college minority breakdown, Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 17,621 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,336
  • Out-state tuition: $5,452
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 89%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For San Diego County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,283 per year for in-state students and $6,392 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

San Diego 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 San Diego County, CA is California College San Diego. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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