Cabrillo College vs. Foothill College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA with Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Foothill College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (12,949 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Foothill College is in Los Altos Hills, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Foothill College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Foothill College 26:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Foothill College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Foothill 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 Foothill College than Cabrillo College ($10,805 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Foothill College are 17.8% lower than at Cabrillo College ($20,793 vs. $25,281).
• Foothill College is 23.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $295 more per year; $1,565.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.7% higher at Foothill College than at Cabrillo College (about $2,728 more per year; $12,590.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Foothill College (85% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cabrillo College students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Foothill College students ($5,600 vs. $4,223).

Cabrillo College vs. Foothill College Admissions comparison

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

Cabrillo College vs. Foothill College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Foothill 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 Foothill College earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than Cabrillo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Foothill College graduates have a $1,528 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($8,972 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Foothill College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($92 vs. $108).
• More Foothill College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cabrillo College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 40%)

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.