Cabrillo College vs. Saddleback College

Comparable Facts

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

Saddleback College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (20,764 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Saddleback College is in Mission Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Saddleback College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Saddleback College 27:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Saddleback College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College than Cabrillo College ($8,122 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cabrillo College are 1.9% lower than at Saddleback College ($25,281 vs. $25,769).
• Cabrillo College is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saddleback College (about $114 more per year; $1,270.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Saddleback College than at Cabrillo College (about $1,998 more per year; $11,860.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Saddleback College (85% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cabrillo College students is 21.7% larger than aid received by Saddleback College students ($5,600 vs. $4,603).

Cabrillo College vs. Saddleback College Admissions comparison

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

Cabrillo College vs. Saddleback College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Saddleback 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 Saddleback College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Cabrillo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saddleback College graduates have a $4,380 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($6,120 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Saddleback College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($63 vs. $108).
• More Saddleback 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.