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Southwestern College

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Institutional Data

Return on Investment Metric
Years to Recoup Expected Net Costs
Some institutions do not report student data to the U.S. Department of Education and/or do not demonstrate positive ROI with this particular metric and will appear as - -.

2.9 Years to Recoup Costs

ROI Methodology

Student Achievement Data

View Data

Participates in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs

Yes -->

Institutional Information

Address

900 Otay Lakes Road Chula Vista, CA 91910-7297

Phone

619-421-6700

Website

Website

Staff Liaison

Melynie Schiel

Degrees

Associate of Science, Associate of Science for Transfer, Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement

Total Enrollment

22,308

Academic calendar

Semester Plan

Institutional Type

Public (state/local) two-year

Accreditation Information

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Most Recent Commission Action

January 15, 2026

Initial Accreditation

1964

Name Position Role
Dr. Mark Sanchez Superintendent/President Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Dr. Mink Stavenga Dean, School of Business Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Name Address Location Type Status
Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
US		 Main Campus Active
Higher Education Center National City 880 National City Blvd
National City, CA 91950
US		 Additional Location Active
Higher Education Center Otay Mesa 8100 Gigantic St,
San Diego, CA 92154
US		 Additional Location Active
Higher Education Center San Ysidro 460 West San Ysidro Boulevard
San Ysidro, CA 92173
US		 Additional Location Active
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility 480 Alta Road
San Diego, CA 92179
US		 Additional Location Active
Program Name Degree Type Method of Assessment Credits required for Program Completion Title IV Distance Education Correspondence Education
Accounting Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 37 Yes Yes No
Administration of Justice---Corrections Emphasis Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Administration of Justice---Law Enforcement Emphasis Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Architecture Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 40 Yes Yes No
Architecture Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Astronomy Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 29 Yes Yes No
Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 42 Yes No No
Automotive Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 42 Yes Yes No
Biology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 48-51 Yes Yes No
Biotechnology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 28-33 Yes Yes No
Business Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 22-66 Yes Yes No
Chemistry Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 41 Yes Yes No
CIS---Systems Programming Emphasis Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 48-50 Yes Yes No
CIS---Web Site Designer and Developer Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 46-48 Yes Yes No
CIS: Computer Programming With an Emphasis on Applications Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 53-55 Yes Yes No
Community, Economic and Urban Development Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 38-41 Yes Yes No
Computer Aided Design and Drafting Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Construction Inspection Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes Yes No
Construction Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 33 Yes Yes No
Culinary Arts Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 33-35 Yes Yes No
Cyber-Forensic Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 30-32 Yes Yes No
Dental Hygiene Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 54 Yes Yes No
Design Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Emergency Medical Technology and Paramedic Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 57 Yes Yes No
Engineering Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 47 Yes Yes No
Entry Level Firefighter Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 46-47.5 Yes Yes No
Environmental Horticulture Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 18-20 Yes Yes No
Environmental Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 36-38 Yes Yes No
Event and Convention Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 23-25 Yes Yes No
Film Television and Media Arts Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 30-36 Yes Yes No
Fire Science Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes Yes No
Foods and Nutrition Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 44 Yes No No
Forensic Studies Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 36 Yes Yes No
Hotel Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 20-22 Yes Yes No
International Business Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 39-44 Yes Yes No
Landscape Architecture Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 36 Yes Yes No
Medical Assisting Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 39 Yes Yes No
Medical Laboratory Technician Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Nursing Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 39 Yes Yes No
Nursing, Vocational Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 63.5-72 Yes Yes No
Occupational Health and Safety Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 33-37 Yes Yes No
OIS: Office Information Systems Professional Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 22.5-24.5 Yes Yes No
OIS: Office Information Systems Professional---Bilingual Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 32.5 Yes Yes No
Paralegal Studies Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 32.5-34.5 Yes Yes No
Paralegal Studies Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 38.5-40.5 Yes Yes No
Physics Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Public Health Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 32 Yes No No
Real Estate Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 29 Yes Yes No
Recording Arts and Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 33-37 Yes Yes No
Restaurant and Foodservice Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 21-23 Yes Yes No
Supply Chain Management and Logistics Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 36-49 Yes No No
Surgical Technology Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 48 Yes Yes No
Sustainable Energy Studies Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes Yes No
Travel and Tourism Management Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 26-30 Yes Yes No
Administration of Justice Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Biology Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 35-36 Yes Yes No
Business Administration 2.0 Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 28 Yes No No
Computer Science Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 32 Yes Yes No
Film, Television, and Media Arts Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Geology Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
Mathematics Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 19-20 Yes Yes No
Nutrition and Dietetics Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 26-29 Yes Yes No
Physics Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes Yes No
Accounting Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 32 Yes Yes No
African American Studies Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Anthropology Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Art Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Asian American Studies Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 21-25 Yes Yes No
Business Administration Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes Yes No
Child Development Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Child Development Teacher Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 33 Yes Yes No
Communication Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Computer Science Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Criminal Justice Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 27-28 Yes Yes No
Dance Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 23.5 Yes Yes No
Economics Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 24-29 Yes Yes No
English Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Exercise Science Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes No No
Finance Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 33 Yes Yes No
French Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Graphic Design Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
History Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Humanities Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Information Systems Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 32 Yes Yes No
Italian Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Journalism Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes Yes No
Liberal Arts: Emphasis in Arts and Humanities Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 34-39 Yes Yes No
Liberal Arts: Emphasis in Math and Science Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 34-39 Yes Yes No
Liberal Arts: Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 34-39 Yes Yes No
Liberal Studies: Elementary Education Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 62-64 Yes Yes No
Literature Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Management Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes Yes No
Marketing Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes Yes No
Mexican-American Studies Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 21-25 Yes Yes No
Music Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 24.5-28.5 Yes Yes No
Music---Mariachi Specialization Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 23.5-31.5 Yes Yes No
Philosophy Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Photography and Digital Imaging Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 22-25 Yes Yes No
Political Science Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18-19 Yes Yes No
Preparation for Allied Health Programs Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 23 Yes Yes No
Psychology Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18-20 Yes Yes No
Public Administration Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 20-21 Yes Yes No
Real Estate Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes Yes No
Social Work and Human Services Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 22-23 Yes Yes No
Sociology Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 18-19 Yes Yes Yes
Spanish Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 26-27 Yes Yes No
Spanish for Bilinguals Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
Supply Chain Management and Logistics Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 34 Yes No No
Theatre Arts---Performance Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 19.5-22.5 Yes Yes No
Urban Studies Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 19-20 Yes Yes No
Anthropology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Art History Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-20 Yes Yes No
Associate in Arts in Economics for Transfer (ADT) Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 20-23 Yes Yes No
Child and Adolescent Development Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 22-25 Yes Yes No
Communication Studies 2.0 Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-20 Yes Yes No
Elementary Teacher Education Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 50-60 Yes Yes No
English Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 19-21 Yes Yes No
Geography Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 19-23 Yes Yes No
History Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Journalism Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 20-22 Yes Yes No
Kinesiology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 20-26 Yes No No
Law, Public Policy, and Society Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 31-34 Yes Yes No
Music Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 21-22 Yes Yes No
Philosophy Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Political Science Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-19 Yes No No
Psychology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 19-20 Yes Yes No
Social Work and Human Services Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 28-30 Yes Yes No
Sociology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-19 Yes Yes No
Spanish Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 21-23 Yes Yes No
Studio Arts Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes Yes No
Theatre Arts Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Accounting Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 28-30 Yes Yes No
Administrative Office Assistant-Bilingual (English/Spanish) Intensive Training Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18-20.5 Yes Yes No
Advanced Emission Specialist Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 34-37 Yes No No
American Sign Language Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Architecture Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Automotive Brake and Suspension Systems Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 12 Yes Yes No
Automotive Performance Systems Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Automotive Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 42 Yes Yes No
Basic Musicianship Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18-21 Yes Yes No
Biotechnology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 28-33 Yes Yes No
Bookkeeping Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21-24 Yes Yes No
Bookkeeping/Payroll Specialist Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 25 Yes Yes No
California State University General Education Breadth Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 34-46 Yes Yes No
CIS---Systems Programming Emphasis Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 46-48 Yes Yes No
CIS: Computer Programming With an Emphasis on Applications-Basic Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Computer Aided Design and Drafting---Advanced Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Construction Inspection Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes Yes No
Construction Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 36 Yes Yes No
Design Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Drone Technology and Applications Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes Yes No
Emergency Medical Technology and Paramedic Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 57 Yes Yes No
Entry Level Firefighter Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 29.5 Yes Yes No
Environmental Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 23 Yes Yes No
ESL Communication Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes No No
Film Television and Media Arts Production Specialist-Advanced Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 23-25 Yes Yes No
Financial and Investment Services Specialty Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17-19 Yes Yes No
Fire Science Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes Yes No
Fitness Specialist Certification---Advanced Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 23.5 Yes Yes No
Floral Design Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Geospatial Technology Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Golf and Sports Turf Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes Yes No
International Business---Intermediate Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 31-37 Yes Yes No
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 34-46 Yes Yes No
Landscape Architecture Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 36 Yes Yes No
Law Enforcement Training Academy Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes Yes No
Leadership and Supervision---Intermediate Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 32-39 Yes Yes No
Legal Interpretation and Translation--Basic (English/Spanish) Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18-20 Yes Yes No
Legal Interpretation and Translation--Intermediate (English/Spanish) Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27-31 Yes Yes No
Logistics Data Analyst Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes No No
Medical Assisting-Administrative Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 33 Yes Yes No
Medical Assisting-Clinical Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 31 Yes Yes No
Medical Assisting-Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 36 Yes Yes No
Nursing, Vocational Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 61.5-70 Yes Yes No
Occupational Health and Safety Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
OIS: Office Information Systems Professional--Bilingual--Advanced Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 29.5 Yes Yes No
OIS: Office Information Systems Professional-Advanced Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 22 Yes Yes No
Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 32.5-34.5 Yes Yes No
Paralegal Studies: Bilingual (English/Spanish) Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 38.5-40.5 Yes Yes No
Pathway to Law School Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 22-24 Yes Yes No
Plant Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes No No
Professional Baking and Pastry Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes Yes No
Professional Cooking Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes Yes No
Professional Photography Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17-19 Yes Yes No
Recording Arts and Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26-30 Yes Yes No
Regional Fire Academy Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 28-29 Yes Yes No
Social Work and Human Services Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27-29 Yes No No
Sustainable Landscape Practices Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes Yes No
Theatre Arts - Technical Theatre Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Travel and Tourism Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18-19 Yes Yes No
Urban Studies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16-17 Yes Yes No
Review Type Commission Review
Comprehensive Peer Review January 2029