Pasadena City College vs. Riverside City College

Comparable Facts

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

Pasadena City College is larger than Riverside City College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 21,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Riverside City College is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Riverside City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pasadena City College 23:1; Riverside City College 26:1.

Pasadena City College vs. Riverside City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City College or Riverside 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 Riverside City College ($6,888 vs. $10,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 27.3% lower than at Riverside City College ($19,431 vs. $26,740).
• Riverside City College is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $248 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.3% higher at Riverside City College than at Pasadena City College (about $2,678 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Pasadena City College as at Riverside City College (78% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Riverside City College students ($6,759 vs. $6,463).

Pasadena City College vs. Riverside City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City College or Riverside 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 Riverside City College and Pasadena City College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pasadena City College - Open admission; Riverside City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Riverside City College Oct 20, 2026.

Pasadena City College vs. Riverside City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pasadena City College and Riverside 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 Pasadena City College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Riverside City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Riverside City College graduates ($5,500 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Riverside City College graduates ($56 vs. $82).
• More Riverside City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.