College of the Canyons vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA with Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pasadena City College is larger than College of the Canyons based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 18,075 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Canyons is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Canyons 25:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

College of the Canyons vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Canyons or Pasadena City College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of the Canyons than Pasadena City College ($5,760 vs. $6,888).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 12% lower than at College of the Canyons ($19,431 vs. $22,086).
• Pasadena City College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Canyons (about $14 more per year; $1,180.00 vs. $1,166.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at College of the Canyons than at Pasadena City College (about $1,138 more per year; $10,958.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Canyons than at Pasadena City College (83% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 47% larger than aid received by College of the Canyons students ($6,759 vs. $4,597).

College of the Canyons vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Canyons or Pasadena City College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pasadena City College and College of the Canyons.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Canyons - Open admission; Pasadena City College - Open admission.

College of the Canyons vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Canyons and Pasadena City College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from College of the Canyons earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $4,697 lower median loan debt than College of the Canyons graduates ($5,500 vs. $10,197).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Canyons graduates ($56 vs. $105).
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Canyons students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.