College Search

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA · City · 18,614 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$12,671
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
34%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
31% typical
$40,060
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$40,902 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
78% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
About

Southwestern College is the premier public community college in southern San Diego County, renowned for its strong transfer pipelines to top four-year universities like San Diego State University and UC San Diego. The institution excels in career-focused and academic pathways, offering standout programs in nursing and allied health, business administration, STEM fields, and criminal justice. As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution situated just miles from the U.S.–Mexico border, the campus features a vibrant, binational student culture that provides robust support for first-generation learners and commuters alike. Students also benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including modern math, science, and performing arts complexes, which foster hands-on learning tailored to regional workforce needs.

Location
Chula Vista, CA, 91910-7297 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SAN · San Diego
13 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$1,344$10,640
Books & supplies$1,210$1,210
Cost of attendance$22,104$31,400 est.
Average net price$12,671Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$10,640
In-state: $1,344
Books & supplies$1,210
Cost of attendance$31,400 est.
In-state: $22,104
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $12,671
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,380
$30–48k
$11,634
$48–75k
$14,332
$75–110k
$18,484
$110k+
$20,045
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
34%
Entered 2017–18
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
42% graduated · 16% transferred · 2% still enrolled · 41% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$33,970
10 yrs after entry$40,060
Debt
Median at graduation$4,500
Monthly payment$48
Middle 50% owe$2.5k–$5.9k
90th percentile$10,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Associate's — high transfer: 31% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

Wondering if Southwestern College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Southwestern College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 47%Women 53%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
26 : 1
Pell grant
36%
First-gen
57%
Family income
$19,399
Independent
35%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
57%
Race & ethnicity
White
14%
Hispanic
64%
Black
5%
Asian
9%
Two or more
4%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
CCCAA · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$3M
Full-time faculty
27%
Faculty salary
$11,677/mo
Teaching spend
$7,280
per student
Federal loans
5%
Classification
Carnegie type
Associate's — high transfer
Undergraduate profile
Two-year, mostly part-time

Wondering if Southwestern College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search