Cabrillo College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

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

Pasadena City College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Pasadena City 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 Pasadena City College than Cabrillo College ($6,888 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 23.1% lower than at Cabrillo College ($19,431 vs. $25,281).
• Cabrillo College is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $90 more per year; $1,270.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Cabrillo College than at Pasadena City College (about $42 more per year; $9,862.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Pasadena City College (85% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 20.7% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($6,759 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

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

Cabrillo College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Pasadena City 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 $2,300 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($5,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($56 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City 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.