Southwestern College

Chula Vista, California

Public Associate Programs
$1,344
In-State Tuition
31.5%
Graduation Rate
$40,060
Median Earnings
16,640
Enrollment

Southwestern College is a public institution in Chula Vista, California with 16,640 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.

In-state tuition is $1,344 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 31.5%, median earnings of $40,060, and median federal debt of $4,500.

Tuition vs State
$1,344
-$9,227

$1,344 is lower than the state average of $10,571.

Graduation vs State
31.5%
-23.5%

31.5% is lower than the state average of 55.0%.

Earnings vs State
$40,060
-$3,370

$40,060 is lower than the state average of $43,430.

Tuition rank: Cheapest 58% Graduation rank: Top 88% Value rank: Top 5%

About Southwestern College

Location Chula Vista, California
Institution Type Public
Highest Degree associate
Website www.swccd.edu
In-State Tuition $1,344
Out-of-State Tuition $9,492
Total Enrollment 16,640
Acceptance Rate N/A
Graduation Rate 31.5%
Retention Rate 77.1%
Median Earnings (10 yrs after) $40,060
Median Debt at Graduation $4,500
Est. Monthly Loan Payment $47
Pell Grant Recipients 35.0%
Students Receiving Loans 4.7%
Loan Default Rate 0.0%
Nursing Program Available

Cost and Return Snapshot

Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data

4-Year Tuition
$5,376
Median Debt
$4,500
Monthly Payment
$47
Earnings / Debt
8.9x

A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.1 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.

Affordability Context

35.0% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 4.7% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.

Cost and Outcomes Context

The value picture at Southwestern College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $5,376, while the reported median debt is $4,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $47. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.

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Student Demographics

The student body is largest among Hispanic students (68.8%), followed by Asian students (10.5%) and White students (9.8%).

Hispanic68.8%
Asian10.5%
White9.8%
Black4.4%

Value Score

8.9x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

Median earnings ($40,060) divided by median debt ($4,500)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Southwestern College located?
Southwestern College is located in Chula Vista, California.
Does Southwestern College offer nursing programs?
Southwestern College reports nursing program activity in federal College Scorecard data.
What is in-state tuition at Southwestern College?
Published in-state tuition is $1,344. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $5,376 before fees, housing, books, and aid.
What is the graduation rate at Southwestern College?
Southwestern College reports a graduation rate of 31.5%, placing it around the 13th percentile among nursing peers in California.
How much do Southwestern College students earn after attending?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $40,060. This figure is schoolwide outcomes data, not a nursing-only salary guarantee.
What is median debt at Southwestern College?
Median federal student debt is $4,500, with an estimated 10-year monthly payment of $47.
How large is Southwestern College?
Southwestern College enrolls about 16,640 undergraduate students.