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Los Angeles Southwest College (view from south at 700 ft)Photo: Eric Shalov · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near West Athens

West Athens is home to Los Angeles Southwest College

Los Angeles Southwest College (1,754 students on campus) is inside the town, and El Camino Community College District (15,562) is 3.1 miles from the center, in Alondra Park. About 6% of West Athens’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).

UEI College-GardenaEl Camino Community College DistrictCalifornia State University-Dominguez Hills

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of West Athens. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
53
301,848 students on campus
Nearest college
0.4 mi
Los Angeles Southwest College
Residents in college
6%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
0.4 mi
Los Angeles Southwest College · $1,238 tuition
Nearest public university
4.9 mi
California State University-Dominguez Hills · $7,449 in-state
Median household income
$67K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in West Athens

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 4.9 milesCalifornia State University-Dominguez Hills admits 93% of applicants. Together they have 29,844 students on campus.A community college 0.4 miles awayLos Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles: tuition and fees $1,238 a year for California residents.In-state price at California State University-Dominguez HillsLiving in California, California State University-Dominguez Hills charges $7,449 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $20,049. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 6% of residentsAbout the same as California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of West Athens

37 private colleges within 15 miles, four public colleges within 14.7 miles, and 14 community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of California-Los AngelesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Long BeachWest Athens
University or collegeCommunity college
Los Angeles Southwest CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,754 on campus · In West Athens · mostly online$6knet price34%graduate$32kearnings67% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.UEI College-GardenaUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,115 on campus · 2.3 mi · Gardena$29knet price60%graduate$31kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.El Camino Community College DistrictCommunity college · Public · 15,562 on campus · 3.1 mi · Torrance$6knet price42%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,144 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Charles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 763 on campus · 3.5 mi · Los Angeles39%admitted$36knet price30%graduate$83kearningsUniversity of West Los AngelesUniversity or college · For-profit · 256 on campus · 4.1 mi · InglewoodSpartan College of Aeronautics & TechnologyUniversity or college · For-profit · 319 on campus · 4.8 mi · Inglewood$33knet price64%graduate$62kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.California State University-Dominguez HillsUniversity or college · Public · 13,167 on campus · 4.9 mi · Carson93%admitted$9knet price43%graduate$57kearningsCompton CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,330 on campus · 6.2 mi · Compton$13knet price27%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $1,142 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Antioch University-Los AngelesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 888 on campus · 6.5 mi · Culver City$52kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 41,282 on campus · 6.8 mi · Los Angeles10%admitted$33knet price92%graduate$92kearningsOtis College of Art and DesignUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,284 on campus · 6.9 mi · Los Angeles82%admitted$51knet price66%graduate$58kearningsLoyola Marymount UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 9,533 on campus · 7.2 mi · Los Angeles45%admitted$48knet price79%graduate$78kearningsWest Los Angeles CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,805 on campus · 7.4 mi · Culver City · mostly online$10knet price28%graduate$39kearnings70% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 8,945 on campus · 7.7 mi · Los Angeles$12knet price35%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Homestead SchoolsUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 178 on campus · 8.3 mi · Torrance$16knet price93%graduate$59kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.California College of ASUUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 136 on campus · 8.4 mi · Los AngelesFIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & MerchandisingUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,348 on campus · 8.7 mi · Los AngelesThe Chicago School at Los AngelesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 616 on campus · 9.1 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online46%admitted0%graduate$57kearnings82% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Earnings are reported for all 8 campuses that file with it.Healthcare Career CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 381 on campus · 9.1 mi · Paramount$14knet price71%graduate$33kearningsSouthern California Institute of ArchitectureUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 457 on campus · 9.3 mi · Los Angeles77%admitted$44knet price71%graduate$72kearningsYo San University of Traditional Chinese MedicineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 124 on campus · 9.3 mi · Los AngelesGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Smith Chason CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,221 on campus · 9.5 mi · Los Angeles$34knet price72%graduate$58kearningsAngeles CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 493 on campus · 9.5 mi · Los Angeles$29knet price93%graduate$49kearningsLos Angeles Harbor CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,447 on campus · 9.6 mi · Wilmington · mostly online$13knet price36%graduate$41kearnings61% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Southwestern Law SchoolUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 950 on campus · 9.6 mi · Los AngelesGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.CBD CollegeCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 824 on campus · 9.6 mi · Los Angeles$23knet price82%graduate$37kearningsNational Polytechnic CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 299 on campus · 10.1 mi · Lakewood$31knet price47%graduate$31kearningsAmerican Career College-Los AngelesUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,066 on campus · 10.8 mi · Los Angeles$32knet price75%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.West Coast University-Center for Graduate StudiesUniversity or college · For-profit · 527 on campus · 10.9 mi · Los Angeles$103kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied HealthCommunity college · Public · 220 on campus · 11 mi · Los Angeles$115kearningsLos Angeles City CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,569 on campus · 11.3 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online$10knet price29%graduate$36kearnings53% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,447 on campus · 11.3 mi · Long Beach$28knet price63%graduate$53kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Long Beach City CollegeCommunity college · Public · 17,484 on campus · 11.4 mi · Long Beach$6knet price30%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $1,556 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Santa Monica CollegeCommunity college · Public · 14,294 on campus · 11.5 mi · Santa Monica$3knet price36%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,156 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 157 on campus · 11.5 mi · Los Angeles58%admitted$15knet price12%graduate$48kearningsAmerican University of Health SciencesUniversity or college · For-profit · 523 on campus · 11.6 mi · Signal Hill50%admitted50%graduate$94kearningsEast Los Angeles CollegeCommunity college · Public · 17,853 on campus · 12 mi · Monterey Park$11knet price37%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Cerritos CollegeCommunity college · Public · 13,757 on campus · 12.1 mi · Norwalk$2knet price31%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $1,364 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los AngelesCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 169 on campus · 12.1 mi · Los AngelesPCI CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 163 on campus · 12.1 mi · Cerritos$27knet price68%graduate$36kearningsLos Angeles Film SchoolUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,566 on campus · 12.2 mi · Hollywood · mostly online$31knet price41%graduate$32kearnings73% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.North-West College-Long BeachUniversity or college · For-profit · 576 on campus · 12.2 mi · Long Beach$34knet price58%graduate$40kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.RAND School of Public PolicyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 126 on campus · 12.3 mi · Santa MonicaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Musicians InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 666 on campus · 12.4 mi · Hollywood78%admitted$47knet price53%graduate$33kearningsCalifornia State University-Los AngelesUniversity or college · Public · 23,850 on campus · 12.5 mi · Los Angeles91%admitted$4knet price53%graduate$59kearningsAmerican Film Institute ConservatoryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 389 on campus · 12.7 mi · Los AngelesGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental MedicineUniversity or college · For-profit · 181 on campus · 12.8 mi · Santa MonicaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.University of California-Los AngelesUniversity or college · Public · 46,029 on campus · 13 mi · Los Angeles9%admitted$13knet price93%graduate$83kearningsPlatt College-Los AngelesUniversity or college · For-profit · 405 on campus · 14 mi · Alhambra$28knet price63%graduate$41kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.California Institute of Advanced ManagementUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 163 on campus · 14 mi · AlhambraGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Alhambra Medical UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 144 on campus · 14 mi · AlhambraCalifornia State University-Long BeachUniversity or college · Public · 38,193 on campus · 14.7 mi · Long Beach46%admitted$10knet price69%graduate$64kearningsOccidental CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,854 on campus · 15 mi · Los Angeles44%admitted$38knet price81%graduate$76kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where West Athens’ median household income ($67,201) falls.

Cerritos College12.1 mi · Norwalk · sticker $10,236 · tuition $1,364$3,774a year
Santa Monica College11.5 mi · Santa Monica · sticker $11,162 · tuition $1,156$4,440a year
California State University-Los Angeles12.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $18,403$5,002a year
Los Angeles Southwest CollegeIn West Athens · mostly online · sticker $13,624 · tuition $1,238$6,540a year
Long Beach City College11.4 mi · Long Beach · sticker $14,503 · tuition $1,556$8,180a year
El Camino Community College District3.1 mi · Torrance · sticker $15,246 · tuition $1,144$8,298a year
California State University-Dominguez Hills4.9 mi · Carson · sticker $23,191$8,855a year
California State University-Long Beach14.7 mi · Long Beach · sticker $22,679$9,705a year
University of California-Los Angeles13 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $38,614$9,811a year
West Los Angeles College7.4 mi · Culver City · mostly online · sticker $17,336 · tuition $1,238$11,153a year
Los Angeles City College11.3 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online · sticker $18,924 · tuition $1,238$11,783a year
East Los Angeles College12 mi · Monterey Park · sticker $19,193 · tuition $1,238$11,971a year
Compton College6.2 mi · Compton · sticker $20,447 · tuition $1,142$12,319a year
Homestead Schools8.3 mi · Torrance · sticker $20,937$13,693a year
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary11.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $31,300$13,987a year
Los Angeles Trade Technical College7.7 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $20,457 · tuition $1,238$14,008a year
Healthcare Career College9.1 mi · Paramount · sticker $18,873$14,135a year
Los Angeles Harbor College9.6 mi · Wilmington · mostly online · sticker $21,772 · tuition $1,238$14,299a year
University of Southern California6.8 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $90,300$19,539a year
Occidental College15 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $84,800$21,468a year
Platt College-Los Angeles14 mi · Alhambra · sticker $32,164$26,818a year
National Polytechnic College10.1 mi · Lakewood · sticker $34,762$27,366a year
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California11.3 mi · Long Beach · sticker $33,041$28,160a year
Otis College of Art and Design6.9 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $75,861$28,167a year
Angeles College9.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $33,854$28,185a year
PCI College12.1 mi · Cerritos · sticker $33,852$29,007a year
UEI College-Gardena2.3 mi · Gardena · sticker $34,105$29,202a year
Los Angeles Film School12.2 mi · Hollywood · mostly online · sticker $38,291$32,250a year
American Career College-Los Angeles10.8 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $37,270$33,051a year
Loyola Marymount University7.2 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $83,943$34,351a year
North-West College-Long Beach12.2 mi · Long Beach · sticker $36,942$34,737a year
Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology4.8 mi · Inglewood · sticker $39,104$35,256a year
Smith Chason College9.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $39,461$36,291a year
Musicians Institute12.4 mi · Hollywood · sticker $52,369$47,465a year
Southern California Institute of Architecture9.3 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $71,612$66,362a year
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science3.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $39,834—a year
CBD College9.6 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $28,569—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of West Athens: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Southern CaliforniaLong Beach City CollegeEast Los Angeles CollegeCalifornia State University-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Long Beach
University of California-Los Angeles93% graduate$83k earnings$14k typical debt
University of Southern California92% graduate$92k earnings$18k typical debt
California State University-Long Beach69% graduate$64k earnings$14k typical debt
California State University-Los Angeles53% graduate$59k earnings$13k typical debt
East Los Angeles College37% graduate$42k earnings$10k typical debt
Long Beach City College30% graduate$39k earnings$10k typical debt
El Camino Community College District42% graduate$42k earnings
Santa Monica College36% graduate$42k earnings$6k typical debt
Cerritos College31% graduate$41k earnings$8k typical debt
California State University-Dominguez Hills43% graduate$57k earnings$14k typical debt
Loyola Marymount University79% graduate$78k earnings$20k typical debt
Los Angeles Trade Technical College35% graduate$35k earnings$10k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: UEI College-Gardena (5); Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology (2); Homestead Schools (2); The Chicago School at Los Angeles (8); American Career College-Los Angeles (2); Universal Technical Institute-Southern California (6); North-West College-Long Beach (4); Platt College-Los Angeles (4).

Questions about college in West Athens

Is West Athens a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 West Athens residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The largest campus in the town, Los Angeles Southwest College, has 1,754 students on campus.

What colleges are in West Athens?

Los Angeles Southwest College is inside the town. El Camino Community College District is 3.1 miles from the center, in Alondra Park, California State University-Dominguez Hills is 4.9 miles from the center, in Carson, and UEI College-Gardena is 2.3 miles from the center, in Los Angeles.

What is the closest community college to West Athens, and what does it cost?

Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, 0.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,238 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $5,964, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does California State University-Dominguez Hills cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $7,449 a year in-state and $20,049 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,303 (under $30,000 income) to $18,947 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of West Athens. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →