Pierce College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, 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 Pierce College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 16,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Pierce College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pierce College 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 Pasadena City College than Pierce College ($6,888 vs. $14,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 23.5% lower than at Los Angeles Pierce College ($19,431 vs. $25,407).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $58 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Pierce College than at Pasadena City College (about $752 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pasadena City College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (78% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students ($6,759 vs. $6,398).

Pierce College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pierce College 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 Pierce College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pierce College - Open admission; Pasadena City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Pierce College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pierce College 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 Los Angeles Pierce College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Pierce College graduates ($5,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pierce College graduates ($56 vs. $108).
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pierce College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 33%)

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.