What Los Angeles Southwest College does

Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is a public two-year community college founded in 1967 and operated as a constituent college of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), a nine-college California public community college district. The college is headquartered at a single campus at 1600 West Imperial Highway in South Los Angeles, serving a predominantly minority, first-generation, and non-traditional student population through open-admissions enrollment. LASC offers 162 degrees and certificates organized into seven career and academic pathways (Arts/History/Languages; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Business and Entrepreneurship; General Studies/Undecided; Health and Human Services; Noncredit Adult and Continuing Education Services; and STEM), with 60% of students receiving financial aid.

LASC delivers instruction through on-campus classes, LASC Online (distance education via Canvas LMS and ConexED/Cranium Café), and a Dual Enrollment program with K-12 public and private schools. The technology stack is district-shared: LACCD Student Information System (SIS), Canvas LMS (ilearn.laccd.edu), Cranium Café for virtual counseling, SAP enterprise portal, SharePoint employee intranet, ADFS single sign-on, and Microsoft Office 365. Financial aid disbursements flow through BankMobile, and the institution participates in the Interstate Passport Network for general education portability. The college operates 28 distinct student services programs — including EOPS, CARE, NextUp, Umoja, A2MEND, Puente, Dream Resource Center, Veterans, Guardian Scholars, Rising Scholars, DSPS, GATEWAY, CalWORKs, and the Child Development Center — plus the Mosaic Family Care-operated Student Health Center providing mental health and medical services.

LASC's revenue model is a hybrid of state apportionment (FTES-based funding through LACCD and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office), federal Title IV financial aid (Pell, SEOG, Work-Study, Direct Loans), Cal Grants, LA College Promise free tuition, HEERF/CARES emergency aid, LASC Foundation philanthropic donations, and ancillary streams (bookstore, facility rentals via Facilitron, non-resident tuition). Pricing is set externally at $46 per unit for California residents; the college is ACCJC/WASC accredited (Federal School Code 007047) and FERPA, Title IV, Title IX, Clery, and EADA compliant. The primary GTM motion is direct-to-student enrollment via the LASC website, SIS portal, and in-person Admissions office, supplemented by outreach events, K-12 dual enrollment partnerships, and community-led recruitment through special programs targeting underserved populations.

Name

Los Angeles Southwest College

Legal name

Los Angeles Southwest College (Los Angeles Community College District)

Website

https://lasc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Los Angeles Southwest College is a public two-year community college founded in 1967 in South Los Angeles, part of the Los Angeles Community College District. It offers 162 degrees and certificates, 28 student services programs, and transfer pathways to UC, CSU, and partner universities for a predominantly minority, first-generation, and non-traditional student population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Enrollment Tuition & Fees: Per-unit tuition charged to students ($46 per unit for California residents), plus mandatory fees including a student health fee, with revenue supporting instruction and student services. Collected by the LACCD district.
2. Federal & State Financial Aid (Title IV): Federal Pell Grants, SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Direct Loans (subsidized/unsubsidized/PLUS), Cal Grants, Chafee Grant, and other California State aid disbursed to enrolled students who demonstrate eligibility through FAFSA/CA Dream Act.
3. HEERF / CARES Act Emergency Aid Funding: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund I, II, and III institutional and student aid portions received during the COVID-19 emergency to offset disruptions; disbursed as direct student aid and institutional support.
4. LASC Foundation Donations & Private Scholarships: Philanthropic donations accepted through the LASC Foundation (lasouthwestcollegefoundation.org) and privately supported scholarships fund grants, textbook assistance, and emergency aid for students.
5. State Apportionment & District Funding: As a California Community College, LASC receives state apportionment based on Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) through the LACCD, plus categorical and grant program funding.
6. Facility Rentals / Events: Event venue and facility rentals via Facilitron for external groups generate supplemental income for the college.
7. College Bookstore Sales: Course textbooks and supplies sold through the LASC Bookstore (lascbookstore.com), operated by a third-party vendor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is a public two-year community college within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) that delivers 162 associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways organized into seven Career and Academic Pathways (AHL, BSS, BE, GSU, HHS, NACES, STEM). It supplements academic instruction with 28 student services programs (counseling, transfer center, financial aid, mental health, EOPS/CARE/NextUp, Umoja, Puente, Dream Resource Center, A2MEND, Rising Scholars, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, DSPS, Guardian Scholars, GATEWAY, CalWORKs, TRiO, Child Development Center, athletics, library, and tutoring) plus distance learning through LASC Online.

Product overview

Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is a single-institution California community college (part of the Los Angeles Community College District / LACCD) that delivers its educational offering through an integrated portfolio rather than a single unified software product. Its core academic offering is organized as seven Career and Academic Pathways (AHL, BSS, BE, GSU, HHS, NACES, STEM) delivering 162 degrees and certificates, augmented by LASC Online distance learning delivered via Canvas LMS and ConexED/Cranium Café. Surrounding the academic core, LASC operates 28 distinct student services programs — including the Financial Aid Office, Transfer Center, Counseling, Mental Health Services (operated by Mosaic Family Care), EOPS/CARE/NextUp, Umoja, Puente, A2MEND, Dream Resource Center, DSPS, Rising Scholars, LASC Athletics, the Library, Tutoring and the Cougar Retention Center, TRiO, the Welcome Center/Basic Needs/Food Pantry, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, CalWORKs/GAIN, Child Development Center, LA College Promise, and the LASC Foundation — which together comprise the institution's overall service portfolio. The IT, Admissions, and administrative offices tie everything together via LACCD-level systems (ADFS/SSO, SAP Portal, SIS, SharePoint), with no public developer API or proprietary software product offered externally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic and Career Pathways (degrees and certificates) Core educational product offering 162 associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways organized into seven Career and Academic Pathway clusters: Arts, History, and Languages (AHL); Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS); Business and Entrepreneurship (BE); General Studies/Undecided (GSU); Health and Human Services (HHS); Non-Credit Adult and Continuing Education Services (NACES); and STEM. Intended for first-time college students, transfer-bound students, and adult learners in South Los Angeles.
• LASC Online (Distance Learning) Fully online course delivery model for LASC degree and certificate programs, taught via the Canvas LMS (ilearn.laccd.edu) and ConexED/Cranium Café, governed by LACCD Administrative Regulation E-89 covering faculty interaction and distance-education policies. Designed for students who need remote access to LASC's academic offerings.
• LA College Promise (Free-Tuition Promise Program) Free-tuition program serving first-time California high school graduates to help them complete their educational goals at LASC. Delivered in partnership with the LA College Promise initiative.
• Dual Enrollment Program Special-admission K-12 program allowing middle and high school students from partner K-12 public and private schools to enroll in LASC college courses for college credit. Intended for accelerated academic pathways and college readiness.
• LASC Financial Aid Office Full-service Title IV and California state financial aid office administering federal Pell Grants, SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Direct Loans, Cal Grants, Chafee Grant, scholarships, FAFSA/CA Dream Act processing, loan entrance/exit counseling, and disbursements via BankMobile. Federal School Code 007047.
• Transfer Center Transfer advising hub offering articulation agreements (via assist.org), Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) participation with all UC campuses except UCLA and UC Berkeley, CSU/IGETC patterns, Interstate Passport, course-to-course articulation, and university representative visits. Intended for students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions.
• LASC Student Health Center (Mental Health Services) Free, confidential mental health counseling service for enrolled LASC students covering crisis resolution, depression and anxiety, stress management, relationships, anger management, eating disorders, sexual assault, substance use, life transitions, domestic violence, grief and loss, and gender identity questions. Operated by Mosaic Family Care and includes HIPAA-compliant virtual video consultations.
• EOPS / CARE / NextUp Extended Opportunity Programs Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and its sub-programs: CARE for single heads of household receiving TANF/CalWORKs, and NextUp (formerly CAFYES) for current and former foster youth. Includes book grants, counseling, tutoring, transfer assistance, health-fee payment, and food-pantry access.
• Umoja Program Cultural and educational program dedicated to enhancing the experiences of Black/African American students at LASC through community, mentorship, and academic support.
• Puente Program
• Dream Resource Center Resource hub for undocumented students and their families to achieve educational success, providing support services during Undocumented Student Action/Success Weeks. Includes AB-540 non-resident tuition exemption guidance and CA Dream Act financial aid support.
• A2MEND Student Charter A2MEND (African American Male Education Network & Development) student charter at LASC, providing priority registration, dedicated academic advising, mentorship, professional development workshops, statewide conference access, and cultural events for men of color. Located in the Umoja Community Room (SSB 207).
• LASC Rising Scholars Program Program supporting students with lived experience with the criminal justice system (incarceration, probation, or juvenile detention) and those impacted by family members. Offers academic counseling, educational grants, emergency funds, interactive workshops, textbook purchasing assistance, and university tours in partnership with The Social Impact Center (TSIC). Located in Student Services Building (SSB), Room 116.
• Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) Provides academic support services and reasonable accommodations to students with physical, learning, and intellectual disabilities to enable full participation in college programs and activities, including assistive technology and 504 compliance support.
• Veterans Resource Center Resource center supporting U.S. military veteran, active duty, and dependent students at LASC, including GI Bill benefits coordination, military withdrawal processing, and priority registration.
• CalWORKs / GAIN CalWORKs/GAIN program supporting students receiving TANF cash aid with education and workforce preparation services, including counseling, book grants, and childcare coordination.
• Guardian Scholars Program Support program for current and former foster youth at LASC, providing wraparound services including housing, food, financial aid, mental health, and independent living skills, distinct from the NextUp/CAFYES program.
• GATEWAY Program Gaining Access Through Education, Work, and Yielding Stability (GATEWAYS) — provides housing support for eligible students, including foster youth.
• LASC Athletics (LASC Cougars) Intercollegiate athletics program (LASC Cougars) that strives to instill goals and aspirations in student-athletes, offering men's and women's sports under EADA compliance.
• LASC Library Library providing access to E-books, Open Educational Resources (OER), course reserves, and reference support for students.
• Tutoring and Cougar Retention Center Tutoring and retention services for LASC students, including the Cougar Retention Center, English/Math tutoring, and academic support for EOPS/NextUp participants.
• TRiO Programs Federally funded TRiO student support programs serving low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities.
• Child Development Center On-campus child care and child development services supporting student-parents at LASC.
• Career Pathways and Job Center Career services center supporting student employment, career exploration, and job placement in coordination with the seven academic and career pathways.
• LASC Bookstore Course textbook and supplies sales through lascbookstore.com, operated by a third-party vendor, supporting free UPS delivery for late-start classes.
• LASC Foundation Scholarships and Emergency Aid Independent 501(c)(3) foundation supporting LASC through philanthropic donations, scholarships (including LASC Foundation scholarships), and student emergency aid.
• Facility Rentals (Facilitron) Campus event venues and facilities rented to external community groups through the Facilitron online marketplace, generating supplemental income for the college.

Quantifiable outcome

• 162 degrees and certificates available
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• University of California system (UC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourse articulation agreements governing transfer of LASC lower-division courses for credit at all UC campuses; Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) agreements in place with all UC campuses except UCLA and UC Berkeley; specific UC representatives visit LASC Transfer Center.
• California State University (CSU) systemflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourse articulation agreements for LASC-to-CSU transfer via CSU-GE and IGETC patterns; specific CSU representatives (Dominguez Hills, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge) visit LASC Transfer Center.
• Arizona State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMyPath2ASU Guaranteed Program for Admission pathway for LASC transfer students; course equivalents published by ASU.
• Kansas State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished course equivalents for LASC-to-K-State transfer; listed on K-State Admissions site.
• Loma Linda UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer patterns published for School of Allied Health and School of Nursing for LASC students in pre-health/nursing pathways.
• National UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished LASC course equivalents and undergraduate transfer information pathways.
• University of the PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal articulation agreement governing LASC-to-Pacific course transfer credit.
• University of San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUndergraduate transfer articulation agreements published on USF Admissions site.
• University of Southern California (USC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Education and Viterbi School of Engineering articulation agreements in place; USC representative visits LASC Transfer Center.
• Western Governors University (WGU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourse equivalency agreements for Business and Nursing pathways enabling LASC students to articulate credit to WGU competency-based degrees.
• Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLACCD is expanding course articulation agreements with HBCUs nationally to support transfer pathways for LASC students; HBCU representatives visit LASC Transfer Center.
• The Social Impact Center (TSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with LASC Rising Scholars Program to support students with lived experience of the criminal justice system (incarceration, probation, juvenile detention).
• Mosaic Family CareflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOperates LASC's Student Health Center providing medical, mental health, and counseling services to enrolled students; supports 100% virtual services during COVID and beyond.
• BankMobile Disbursements (BMTX, Inc.)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationTechnology solution powering LASC's financial aid refund choices and disbursements to students; students must select preferences with BankMobile to receive Title IV disbursements.
• Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent district and primary administrative/operational partner; provides shared services (Canvas, SIS, SAP, Cranium Café, police), articulation administration, Title IX oversight, and District Office of Diversity Programs support.
• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)flagshipOthersInstitutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; oversees LASC's accreditation status and academic program quality standards.
• Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOperates LASC's Sheriff's Office 24 hours a day and supervises the LACCD Cadet program; primary reporting and investigation unit for all on-campus criminal activity.
• California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (CCCCO)flagshipOthersState-level oversight and complaint process for California Community Colleges; LASC follows CCCCO policies on matriculation, course repetition, and financial aid.
• Interstate Passport NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-state general education portability framework allowing LASC students to satisfy lower-division GE requirements at participating institutions nationwide; LACCD patterns overlap Passport.
• LASC Foundation (lasouthwestcollegefoundation.org)flagshipOthersIndependent 501(c)(3) foundation supporting LASC through philanthropic donations, scholarships, and student emergency aid.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Compton College: Independent California community college serving a South Bay/Compton-area community comparable to LASC's South LA service area; similar equity-focused programs and TAG participation.
• Los Angeles City College (LACC): Constituent college of LACCD located in East Hollywood; offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways under the same district technology stack, pricing, and accreditation as LASC.
• West Los Angeles College (WLAC): LACCD constituent college in Culver City/West LA; same district, funding model, and student services portfolio as LASC, with overlapping transfer partnerships.
• Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC): Sister LACCD college in downtown Los Angeles with a strong CTE focus; comparable governance, funding model, and student services architecture.
• Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC): LACCD constituent college in Valley Glen offering similar associate degree, transfer, and student support programs; shares Canvas/SIS/SAP infrastructure and CCC system pricing.

Broad incumbents

• Pasadena City College (PCC): One of the largest California community colleges with broader program breadth and stronger four-year transfer outcomes; competes for the same transfer-bound LA-area students.
• Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC): Large California community college in Walnut with extensive CTE, transfer, and student services programs; representative of a higher-end scale tier than LASC.
• Santa Monica College (SMC): Largest California community college by enrollment; shares LACCD-adjacent LA-area catchment and offers the same Title IV financial aid and transfer pathway framework.

Regional players

• Long Beach City College (LBCC): California community college in Long Beach serving a similar minority and first-generation population to LASC; comparable tuition, accreditation, and equity program portfolio.

Others

• The Social Impact Center (TSIC): Nonprofit partner organization of LASC's Rising Scholars Program supporting justice-impacted students; ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LASCCampus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/lasouthwestcollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/112775318740967
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-southwest-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/lasccougars

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Southwest College