Pasadena City College vs. San Diego City College

Comparable Facts

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

Pasadena City College is larger than San Diego City College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 13,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego City College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pasadena City College 23:1; San Diego City College 22:1.

Pasadena City College vs. San Diego City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City College or San Diego 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 San Diego City College ($6,888 vs. $10,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 37.8% lower than at San Diego City College ($19,431 vs. $31,243).
• Pasadena City College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego City College (about $34 more per year; $1,180.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at San Diego City College than at Pasadena City College (about $182 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego City College than at Pasadena City College (87% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego City College students is 55.3% larger than aid received by Pasadena City College students ($10,500 vs. $6,759).

Pasadena City College vs. San Diego City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City College or San Diego 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 San Diego 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; San Diego City College - Open admission.

Pasadena City College vs. San Diego City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pasadena City College and San Diego 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 $4,700 more per year than San Diego City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $33,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pasadena City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pasadena City College graduates ($46 vs. $56).
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego City College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 30%)

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.