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Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California · Public community college
Address: 900 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91910 · Phone: (619) 421-6700 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southwestern College is a public trade and career school in Chula Vista, CA, offering EMT, CNA, and LPN programs, accredited by ACCJC and ACEN.
Southwestern College's completion rate is 35.5%, below the state average of 64.2%; median graduate debt is $4,500 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $40,060, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data, but Southwestern College participates in Title IV federal aid, and about 35.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,740 | $46,380 | $59,180 |
| Nursing assistants | $40,110 | $47,630 | $54,800 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,390 | $79,750 | $93,720 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Dental hygienists | $102,090 | $124,930 | $132,120 |
| Surgical technologists | $49,140 | $81,310 | $99,260 |
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
| Medical records specialists | $43,800 | $61,810 | $80,630 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 100 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 97 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Southwestern College is a public trade and career training campus in Chula Vista, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Because the school participates in Title IV programs, students may use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, to help cover costs. Among its 20 program families, the campus awards the most completions in EMT & paramedic training (119), CNA classes (97), and LPN/LVN programs (50), alongside offerings in auto mechanics, culinary arts, dental hygiene, surgical technology, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, and construction trades.
Federal data show a completion rate of 35.5%, below the state average of 64.2%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $4,500, and median earnings ten years after entry were reported at $40,060. About 35.8% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a mix of short certificate-style programs like EMT and CNA training alongside longer LPN pathways, this campus may suit both first-time students and adult career changers looking for shorter entry points into healthcare or technical fields, though specific program lengths and schedules should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and review detailed outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southwestern College offers 20 program families, with the most completions in EMT & paramedic training (119), CNA classes (97), and LPN/LVN programs (50). It also offers auto mechanics, culinary arts, dental hygiene, surgical technology, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, and construction trades programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Southwestern College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal student aid programs, meaning students may use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 35.5%, which is below the state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $4,500.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $40,060.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (619) 421-6700 or visit https://www.swccd.edu/ for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Southwestern College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents compared to for-profit schools, though specific costs are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in federal data for this campus; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review detailed federal outcome data through the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?123800.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter programs like EMT and CNA training alongside longer LPN pathways, which may suit career changers, though specific scheduling and length details should be confirmed with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in federal data; contact the school at (619) 421-6700 to ask about certification or licensure tied to specific programs like EMT, CNA, or LPN.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southwestern College at (619) 421-6700 or through its website at https://www.swccd.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.