Los Angeles Southwest College vs. CSM

Los Angeles Southwest College and College of San Mateo side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Los Angeles Southwest College
College of San Mateo

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: CSM. Average net price is $5,831 vs $6,361 at Los Angeles Southwest College.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Los Angeles Southwest College $29,200 vs CSM $44,800 (median).
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Key differences

Los Angeles Southwest College College of San Mateo
Acceptance rate
Los Angeles Southwest College-
CSM-
SAT range (middle 50%)
Los Angeles Southwest College-
CSM-
Average net price
CSM $530 less
Los Angeles Southwest College$6,361
CSM$5,831
In-state tuition
Los Angeles Southwest College $94 less
Los Angeles Southwest College$1,238
CSM$1,332
Out-of-state tuition
Los Angeles Southwest College $812 less
Los Angeles Southwest College$10,572
CSM$11,384
Graduation rate
Los Angeles Southwest College-
CSM-
Median earnings (10 years)
CSM +$15,600
Los Angeles Southwest College$29,200
CSM$44,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Los Angeles Southwest College -
  • CSM -
  • Admitted
  • Los Angeles Southwest College -
  • CSM -
  • Acceptance rate
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Open
  • CSM Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Open
  • CSM Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • CSM
  • Typical ACT score
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • CSM
  • Average high school GPA
  • Los Angeles Southwest College -
  • CSM -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Los Angeles Southwest College -
  • CSM -
  • Admissions standards
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Unavailable
  • CSM Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • CSM
  • SAT range
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • CSM
  • ACT range
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • CSM
  • Submit test scores
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Open admission
  • CSM Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026
  • CSM
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $1,238
  • CSM $1,332
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $10,572
  • CSM $11,384
  • Room & board
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $25,407
  • CSM $31,288
  • Average net price
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $6,361
  • CSM $5,831
  • Average grant aid
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $6,622
  • CSM $4,386
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Los Angeles Southwest College 86%
  • CSM 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Los Angeles Southwest College -
  • CSM -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $29,200
  • CSM $44,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Los Angeles Southwest College 21%
  • CSM 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $4,500
  • CSM $7,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Los Angeles Southwest College $46
  • CSM $72
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1
  • CSM 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (38%)
    • Health Professions (38%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Business (6%)
    • Psychology (4%)
  • CSM
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Location
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles, CA
  • CSM San Mateo, CA
  • Setting
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Large Suburban
  • CSM Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Los Angeles Southwest College 5,371
  • CSM 9,901
  • Type
  • Los Angeles Southwest College Public 2 Year
  • CSM Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • Los Angeles Southwest College
  • CSM

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, CA with College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

College of San Mateo is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (9,901 students vs. 5,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Los Angeles Southwest College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); College of San Mateo is in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting).
  • Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; College of San Mateo 24:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Southwest College are 18.8% lower than at College of San Mateo ($25,407 vs. $31,288).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at CSM than at Los Angeles Southwest College (about $812 more per year; $11,384 vs. $10,572).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at College of San Mateo (86% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students is 51% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($6,622 vs. $4,386).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both Los Angeles Southwest College and CSM.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than CSM graduates ($4,500 vs. $7,000).
  • Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSM graduates ($46 vs. $72).
  • More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 21%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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