Monterey Peninsula College vs. Saddleback College

Comparable Facts

Compare Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, CA with Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saddleback College is larger than Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (20,764 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Saddleback College is in Mission Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Saddleback College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; Saddleback College 27:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Saddleback College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula College or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College than Monterey Peninsula College ($8,122 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saddleback College are 26.6% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($25,769 vs. $35,118).
• Monterey Peninsula College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saddleback College (about $32 more per year; $1,188.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Saddleback College than at Monterey Peninsula College (about $1,288 more per year; $11,860.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College than at Saddleback College (85% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Saddleback College students ($5,088 vs. $4,603).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Saddleback College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula College or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College and Monterey Peninsula College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission; Saddleback College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Saddleback College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula College and Saddleback 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 Saddleback College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Monterey Peninsula College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Saddleback College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 31%)

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.