Cabrillo College vs. Cuyamaca College

Comparable Facts

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

Cabrillo College is larger than Cuyamaca College based on total student enrollment (9,457 students vs. 8,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Cuyamaca College is in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cuyamaca College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Cuyamaca College 28:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Cuyamaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Cuyamaca 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 Cuyamaca College than Cabrillo College ($7,752 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuyamaca College are 12.6% lower than at Cabrillo College ($22,086 vs. $25,281).
• Cuyamaca College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $76 more per year; $1,346.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Cuyamaca College than at Cabrillo College (about $1,452 more per year; $11,314.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Cuyamaca College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cuyamaca College students is 47.2% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($8,246 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. Cuyamaca College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo College or Cuyamaca 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 Cuyamaca 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; Cuyamaca College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. Cuyamaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Cuyamaca 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 $8,300 more per year than Cuyamaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $31,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cuyamaca College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Cuyamaca College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cuyamaca College students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.