Cabrillo College vs. Grossmont College

Comparable Facts

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

Grossmont College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (14,440 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Grossmont College is in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Grossmont College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Grossmont College 24:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Grossmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Grossmont 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 Grossmont College than Cabrillo College ($8,351 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grossmont College are 12.6% lower than at Cabrillo College ($22,086 vs. $25,281).
• Grossmont College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $62 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Grossmont College than at Cabrillo College (about $766 more per year; $10,628.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Grossmont College (85% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grossmont College students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($6,370 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. Grossmont College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo College or Grossmont 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 Grossmont 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; Grossmont College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027; Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. Grossmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Grossmont 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 $2,000 more per year than Grossmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More Grossmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cabrillo College students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.