Pasadena City College vs. SAC

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Ana College is larger than Pasadena City College based on total student enrollment (27,248 students vs. 24,597 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Ana College is in Santa Ana, CA (Large City setting).
• Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Ana College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pasadena City College 23:1; Santa Ana College 33:1.

Pasadena City College vs. SAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City College or SAC? 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 Santa Ana College than Pasadena City College ($5,894 vs. $6,888).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 12.2% lower than at Santa Ana College ($19,431 vs. $22,126).
• Pasadena City College and SAC have the same published in-state tuition ($1,180.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at SAC than at Pasadena City College (about $936 more per year; $10,756.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Ana College than at Pasadena City College (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Ana College students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Pasadena City College students ($6,768 vs. $6,759).

Pasadena City College vs. SAC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City College or SAC? 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 SAC 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; SAC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SAC Apr 1, 2027.

Pasadena City College vs. SAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pasadena City College and SAC? 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 $400 more per year than SAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SAC graduates ($5,500 vs. $7,500).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAC graduates ($56 vs. $77).
• More SAC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.