Southwestern College
About Southwestern College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Southwestern College teaches in Chula Vista, the closest college in California to the Mexican border, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Business, psychology and criminal justice are its largest programs, and many of its students cross the border to attend.
Founded
1961
Location
Chula Vista, California
Students
18,614
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
35.5%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,344
Out-of-state: $10,640
Avg Net Price
$12,671
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$40,060
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
35.5% complete their degree within three years
Retention
70%
Transfer Out
9%
Teaching Quality
25:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
26.8%
$/Student
$7.3K
Class Size
Large
The 35.5% graduation rate is below average, but 70% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,344
In-State
$10,640
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,210
Total Cost of Attendance
$22,104
After Financial Aid
$12,671
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$11,380
Receive Grants
35.8%
Take Loans
5.2%
Tuition is $1,344/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $12,671.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Southwestern College fund their education.
While in School
35.8%
Get Grants
Free money
5.2%
Take Loans
Must repay
$19,399
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$4,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$48/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $4,500, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Southwestern College.
Gender
52.5%
Female
48%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
18,614
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
56.5%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
32.3%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (53% women, 48% men). 56.5% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
18,614
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Southwestern College fields 11 varsity teams with 344 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
11
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
344
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
65% / 35%
224
Men
120
Women
8
Men's Teams
9
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Southwestern Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$40,060
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Business Administration, Management and Operations
$51K
280 grads
4yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$42K
199 grads
4yr Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$40K
189 grads
4yr Earnings
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$31K
155 grads
1yr Earnings
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
—
131 grads
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
117 grads
Graduates earn about $34K six years out, growing to $40K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwestern College
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.