Southwestern Community College District (SCCD) is a public institution regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community College and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) that is recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE). Founded in 1961, SCCD has five campuses located in San Diego, California. The college enrolls approximately 29,000 students yearly in more than 312 academic programs.

Campus Life

The college is located in Chula Vista, California, in the southern area of beautiful San Diego County, minutes from the world-famous San Diego Zoo and two miles from the Pacific Ocean coastline.

Students can take classes at any of the five campuses –which stretch from the San Diego City border to the international border with Mexico. This area of the United States is famous for its miles of beaches and fantastic weather, with an average temperature of 72 degrees (22 Celsius) year-round. Visitors enjoy outdoor activities any time of the year. Whether you like hiking, biking, running, surfing, or anything else, San Diego is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. You always feel like you are on vacation.

Our campuses are close to many four-year universities, including San Diego State University, the University of California at San Diego, and the University of San Diego.

The college has more than 15 athletic programs, including championship basketball, football, and cross-country teams.

Areas of Study

Southwestern College offers Associates Degrees, transfer programs, and certificates in a large number of academic fields of study, including business administration, nursing, psychology, biology, and engineering. Our highest priority is to prepare students to transfer to four-year universities. Students complete the first two years of undergraduate education requirements and receive an Associate’s degree before transferring to a university to complete their Bachelor’s degree. Southwestern College consistently ranks in the top 10 percent of more than 1,000 two-year colleges nationwide in the number of associate degrees conferred. Our stellar faculty represents some of the best-of-the-best in fields ranging from architecture to theatre. Many of our faculty come from prestigious universities like MIT, Columbia, and Stanford University.

International Programs

Our Binational and International Programs Office provides international students with a range of student services and programs, including International Admissions, International Programs, and Counseling Center. We provide assistance with admissions and enrollment, academic counseling, health care, housing, non-immigrant visa concerns, and student life. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Admission Process

Students may apply for admission for the fall semester (August), spring semester (January), and summer session (June). Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. We suggest applying at least one month before your desired start date. F-1 International Students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 55, an IELTS minimum score of 5.5, or a Duolingo Test Score of 75.  

Student Services and Campus Resources

The college offers a wide range of services to help you succeed. The centers include free tutoring, online learning, career, counseling and advising, and health and wellness. In addition, the Associated Student Organization organizes over 30 clubs on campus.