West Los Angeles College Photo #3 - West is one of only 15 CA community colleges authorized to offer a Bachelor's degree in a subject. For West, it's in Dental Hygiene. We also offer Associate Degree and certificate programs in entry-level nursing, pharmacy tech and public health.

West Los Angeles College

  • West Los Angeles College is an accredited California Community College offering paths to university transfer, career education and courses for professional and personal growth. It occupies 70 park-like acres overlooking Culver City, Marina Del Rey and Greater West Los Angeles. On a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean from the highest points on campus.  Over the course of a year, West will serve between 16,000 to 19,000 students between our on-ground, online, and full-time and part-time students. But the college still retains the small, warm college feel as we have no more than about 5,000 students on campus at any one time.  
  • Our Dental Hygiene program is a national model and is one of only two California community college programs authorized to offer a Bachelor's degree.  Our online degree program has been recognized as one of the best in California and the nation. Other unique programs include our Film / TV Production Crafts path preparing students for careers behind the scenes in entertainment and our Aviation Tech program. West also offers degree and certificate programs in Computer Science, Health Care, Business, Law Enforcement and Early Childhood Education. 
  • Students interested in transferring to universities to complete their Bachelor's degrees can select from 24 Associate Degrees for Transfer and get help with the transfer process from our Transfer Center and support organizations including EOPS, TRiO, Puente and Honors Transfer.
  • West alumni can be found in every industry from the front lines to the executive ranks. Our college motto is: GO WEST. GO FAR.

School Highlights

West Los Angeles College serves 17,492 students (10% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 40:1 is higher than the state community college average of 32:1.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 77%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 17,492 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,220
  • Out-state tuition: $6,810
  • Student:teacher ratio: 40:1
  • Minority enrollment: 83%
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

The teacher population of 436 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
West Los Angeles College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Associate's Dominant
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Associate's Dominant
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
436 staff
294 staff
This chart displays total faculty of West Los Angeles College and community college average number of faculty in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of West Los Angeles College has grown by 34% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 40:1 has increased from 30:1 over five years.
The West Los Angeles College diversity score of 0.69 is less than the state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
17,492 students
2,311 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of West Los Angeles College and community college average number of enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
40:1
32:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of West Los Angeles College and community college average student staff ratio of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,671 students
1,232 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of West Los Angeles College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
15,821 students
8,299 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of West Los Angeles College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of West Los Angeles College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of California.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
174 students
240 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,671 students
1,155 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of West Los Angeles College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
63 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
15,821 students
8,457 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Asian
7%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of Asian community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
49%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
18%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of Black community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
17%
23%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of White community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in West Los Angeles College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
4%
3%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in West Los Angeles College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in California.
Diversity Score
0.69
0.70
This chart displays the diversity score of West Los Angeles College and the community college average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
16%
28%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of West Los Angeles College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of California by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.278%
0.4304%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,700
$34,700
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of West Los Angeles College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of California by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,220 is less than the state average of $1,236. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,810 is more than the state average of $6,547. The out-state tuition has declined by 20% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,220
$1,236
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of West Los Angeles College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,810
$6,547
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of West Los Angeles College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of California by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
59%
85%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in West Los Angeles College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,188
$10,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in West Los Angeles College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,500
$6,239
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in West Los Angeles College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
92%

Sports

Total Sports Offered
9 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Football, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • West Los Angeles College (WLAC), located on a scenic hillside in Culver City, opened its doors in February 1969. One of the nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community College District, the college has approximately 11,000 student in day, evening and online classes. WLAC serves Baldwin Hills, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Century City, Crenshaw, Culver City, LA Tijera/Windsor Hills, Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Palms, Playa del Rey, Venice, Westchester, West Los Angeles and Westwood. Students come from a rich mixture of nationalities and cultures. West is a leader in online education housing one of the largest programs in Southern California. Several of our degrees may be earned completely online. Partnerships with prestigious universities allow our students to transfer and complete their Bachelor's degree completely online as well. Students may also select just one or two classes online to augment their on campus courses. Our career-oriented Certificate and Associate degree programs include several that are unique in this area, including motion picture/television production crafts, aircraft electronics, aviation maintenance, dental hygiene, travel and hospitality, and the only paralegal program in the Los Angeles Community College District that is approved by the American Bar Association. Whether in academic or career-oriented subjects, our outstanding faculty members are experts in their fields. They have chosen to teach in a community college because they prefer to concentrate on teaching, and they value the smaller classes and greater opportunity for individualized instruction that colleges like West provide. Basic Skills Program to provide students with the necessary capabilities in mathematics, verbal and written language skills, and study skills to successfully complete a certificate, degree, or transfer program. The college is fully accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Universities, and offers 25 transfer and 18 vocationally-oriented programs. The American Dental Association and the Federal Aviation Administration also recognize the vocational curricula offered here at West Los Angeles College.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does West Los Angeles College cost?
West Los Angeles College's tuition is approximately $1,220 for In-State students and $6,810 for Out-State students.
What sports does West Los Angeles College offer?
West Los Angeles College offers 9 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Football, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball.

Recent Articles

Is President Obama's Plan for Free Community College Right for America?
Is President Obama's Plan for Free Community College Right for America?
President Obama recently introduced a plan to deliver free Community College tuition to all Americans across the country. Is it the right call?In this story, we will not attempt to make a judgment call on whether free Community College is right or wrong for the United States. Instead, we paneled a few experts in education and economics to get their take on the issue. We’re showing both sides of the coin, and letting readers decide on their own.
Adult Learners: Upgrading Your Skills
Adult Learners: Upgrading Your Skills
We offer straightforward advice on identifying transferable skills, exploring job opportunities, leveraging community resources, and embracing lifelong learning. With relatable examples and encouragement, this guide aims to empower readers to navigate the job market confidently and successfully transition into new careers.
Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?
Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?
Learn about academic bankruptcy, its benefits and disadvantages, and whether this option is right for your GPA and financial aid eligibility.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 17,492 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,220
  • Out-state tuition: $6,810
  • Student:teacher ratio: 40:1
  • Minority enrollment: 83%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

The average community college acceptance rate in Los Angeles County, CA is 77%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Los Angeles County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.65, which is higher than the national average of 0.00. The most diverse community college in Los Angeles County, CA is California College of Music. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links