Located in northwestern Los Angeles, Pierce College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Semesters are 15 weeks long, and the school places an emphasis on small class sizes. The school offers associate degrees in chemistry, English and music. As of 2011, all honors students at Pierce who transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles have been accepted.
Also in northwestern Los Angeles, Los Angeles Valley College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The school offers 140 associate degrees and vocational certificates. Popular associate degrees at Los Angeles Valley College include biology, child development and psychology, and the school offers vocational certificates in fire technology, nursing and respiratory therapy. The school hosts many community activities, including the Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, West Los Angeles College offers 41 associate degrees and 25 vocational certificates. The school offers associate degrees in dental hygiene, business administration and paralegal studies. The paralegal studies degree is accredited by the American Bar Association. The school also has a free Jumpstart program for high school students that allows them to earn college credit for University of California and California State universities.
Los Angeles Southwest College offers 34 associate degrees and 47 vocational certificates, and is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The school has a partnership with Middle College High School that allows high school students to work towards an Associate of Arts degree while pursuing a high school diploma. The school offers degrees in nursing, computer science and business administration, and offers vocational certificates in finance, law office specialist and legal office assistant.