Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, CA with Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pasadena City College is larger than Los Angeles Southwest College based on total student enrollment (24,597 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); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Southwest College 22:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Los Angeles Southwest College or Pasadena City College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Los Angeles Southwest College than Pasadena City College ($6,361 vs. $6,888).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 23.5% lower than at Los Angeles Southwest College ($19,431 vs. $25,407).
• Los Angeles Southwest College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $58 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Pasadena City College (about $752 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Southwest College than at Pasadena City College (86% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Southwest College students ($6,759 vs. $6,622).

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Los Angeles Southwest College or Pasadena City College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pasadena City College and Los Angeles Southwest College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Los Angeles Southwest College - Open admission; Pasadena City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Los Angeles Southwest College Sep 12, 2026.

Los Angeles Southwest College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Los Angeles Southwest College and Pasadena City College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Pasadena City College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Los Angeles Southwest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pasadena City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, Los Angeles Southwest College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pasadena City College graduates ($46 vs. $56).
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Southwest College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 21%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.