West Los Angeles College

West Los Angeles College, located in Los Angeles, California, was founded in 1969 and is one of nine colleges that comprise the Los Angeles Community College District, and one of 112 colleges that comprise the California Community College System.

WLAC offers higher education and vocational education opportunities for residents living in the areas of Marina Del Ray, Culver City, Greater West Los Angeles, and other nearby area. The school serves over 10,000 students annually as part of its mission to provide high quality education and services to residents of its service area.

Academics

West Los Angeles College offers a variety of programs aimed at providing transfer options or vocational/technical training in order to meet the needs of potential students and assist them in achieving their goals. Academic transfer programs allow students to pursue educational opportunities at colleges and universities through the completion of a curriculum that mirrors the freshman and sophomore years of such schools.  It is recommended that students apply for transfer to complete the final two years of their education to earn a bachelor's degree.

Students applying for transfer to CSU or UC system schools will find transfer made easier through agreements in place that guarantee admission of certain academic prerequisites are met. Transfer to out of state or private institutions will require varying requirements to be met and as such it is advised that students meet with a counselor prior to their first semester in order to plan a curriculum that best meets one's goals.

Vocational and technical programs provide students with the option to receive an education that assists in obtaining long term employment in a specialized area. Such programs provide students with the skills and education necessary to enter the workforce in a given area or industry through traditional and practical courses taught by veterans of the respective industry.

Practical courses in particular will be taught by professionals ensuring that training is approached with safety while assuring that it mirrors real life situations. Programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or degree based on the type of program pursued.

Programs offered include:

• Biology
• Business Administration
• Computer Systems
• Communications
• History

Admissions and Financial Aid

West Los Angeles College maintains an open enrollment policy that allows students to enroll easily if they are at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Submission of an application, previous records, and payment of fees is required before a student may register for classes. Prior to registration students are encouraged to participate in orientation and to meet with a counselor. Additionally, new students may be required to take a placement exam.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships which are awarded based on need as determined through the applicant's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the financial aid office to determine need and program eligibility when constructing the aid packet. Aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year, and should be submitted prior to posted deadlines in order to ensure that funds are disbursed in a timely fashion.

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $7,600. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

• Annual tuition estimates are:
  • State Residents: $1,200-$1,400
  • Out-of-State: $6,800-$8,143
• Part-time students are charged:
  • In-State: $46-$55 per unit
  • Out-of-State: $260-$310 per unit

Financial Aid Details

The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.

	Percent of Students	Average Amount
Any Financial Aid	92%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	92%	$4,954

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To help support students, West Los Angeles College may offer services like those listed below:

• Online classes
• Night and weekend classes available
• Remedial courses
• Career path counseling
• Student employment
• Assisting students to find work
• Child care

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Many community colleges are not only a source of technical or career training but also a stepping stone for students to transfer-out to a 4-year college, therefore we have included both graduation and transfer rates below and how West Los Angeles College compares against other community colleges in Los Angeles County and the community colleges in California as a whole.

	West LA College	Los Angeles County	California
Graduation Rate	13.1%	22.2%	24.3%
Transfer-out Rate	16.7%	12.0%	13.8%

Specialized Programs & Accreditations

• Dental Hygienist Program
  • Accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (since 1971)

Other Community Colleges Nearby

The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to West Los Angeles College.

• Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA (5 miles away)
• Los Angeles Southwest College in Los Angeles, CA (7 miles away)
• Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, CA (8 miles away)
• El Camino College in Torrance, CA (9 miles away)
• Los Angeles Valley College in Valley Glen, CA (13 miles away)