Cabrillo College vs. Cerritos College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA with Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cerritos College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (21,859 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Cerritos College is in Norwalk, CA (Small City setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cerritos College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Cerritos College 26:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Cerritos College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Cerritos 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 Cerritos College than Cabrillo College ($4,325 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cerritos College are 12.6% lower than at Cabrillo College ($22,088 vs. $25,281).
• Cerritos College is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $94 more per year; $1,364.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Cerritos College than at Cabrillo College (about $2,142 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cerritos College than at Cabrillo College (89% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cerritos College students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($5,925 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. Cerritos College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo College or Cerritos 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 Cerritos College and Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; Cerritos College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. Cerritos College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Cerritos 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 Cabrillo College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Cerritos College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cerritos College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($6,000 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Cerritos College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($62 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cerritos College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 35%)

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.