Cabrillo College vs. San Diego City College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego City College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (13,242 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); San Diego City College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; San Diego City College 22:1.

Cabrillo College vs. San Diego City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or San Diego 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 San Diego City College than Cabrillo College ($10,040 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cabrillo College are 19.1% lower than at San Diego City College ($25,281 vs. $31,243).
• Cabrillo College is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego City College (about $124 more per year; $1,270.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at San Diego City College than at Cabrillo College (about $140 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego City College than at Cabrillo College (87% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego City College students is 87.5% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($10,500 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. San Diego City College Admissions comparison

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

Cabrillo College vs. San Diego City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and San Diego 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 $7,000 more per year than San Diego City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $33,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego City 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 San Diego City College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 30%)

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.