Public · Mostly associate degrees · Large city

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, California. 18,614 undergraduates.

39%Graduation rate2 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$5,663Average net price per year43% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$47,535Median earnings 10 years after starting5% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$7,244Median debt at graduation40% below the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($7,244) equals 15% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($47,535). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$4,530
$30,000–$48,000$4,823
$48,001–$75,000$6,065
$75,001–$110,000$10,375
Over $110,000$11,275

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $1,356 in-state, $12,360 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate39%38%
Return for second year70%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$37,916$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$47,535$45,146
Median debt at graduation$7,244$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

108 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing64$97,013$118,803—
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions30$81,096——
Criminal Justice and Corrections138$32,122$56,601—
Business Administration, Management and Operations313$29,365$49,779$5,959
Sociology96—$46,018—
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services36$34,191$40,919—
Psychology, General216$28,997$39,889—
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services11$35,075——
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services6———
Architectural Sciences and Technology7———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies1———
Communication and Media Studies34———
Journalism7———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication30———
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians10———
Computer and Information Sciences, General6———
Computer Programming2———
Computer Science28———
Computer Software and Media Applications2———
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications1———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management2———
Culinary Arts and Related Services10———
Special Education and Teaching45———
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians2———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians4———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics18———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services1———
Non-Professional Legal Studies7———
Legal Support Services19———
English Language and Literature, General38———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities208———
Biology, General25———
Mathematics25———
Biological and Physical Sciences137———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness26———
Philosophy2———
Chemistry1———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences1———
Physics1———
Fire Protection8———
Security Science and Technology9———
Human Services, General43———
Public Administration14———
Anthropology16———
Economics91———
Geography and Cartography6———
Political Science and Government30———
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection8———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians4———
Visual and Performing Arts, General5———
Dance2———
Design and Applied Arts15———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft12———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts5———
Fine and Studio Arts50———
Music5———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General155———
Health and Medical Administrative Services6———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions21———
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions17———
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants26———
Business/Commerce, General2———
Accounting and Related Services53———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services5———
Finance and Financial Management Services8———
Hospitality Administration/Management10———
Real Estate11———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations3———
History19———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Southwestern College cost per year?
The average net price at Southwestern College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $5,663 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Southwestern College graduates earn?
Former Southwestern College students earn a median of $47,535 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Southwestern College?
39% of Southwestern College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Southwestern College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Southwestern College is $7,244. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.