Cabrillo College vs. San Diego Miramar College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Miramar College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (14,257 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cabrillo College vs. San Diego Miramar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or San Diego Miramar 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 Miramar College than Cabrillo College ($8,066 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cabrillo College are 19.1% lower than at San Diego Miramar College ($25,281 vs. $31,243).
• Cabrillo College is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Miramar College (about $124 more per year; $1,270.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at San Diego Miramar 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 Cabrillo College than at San Diego Miramar College (85% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Miramar College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($6,637 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. San Diego Miramar College Admissions comparison

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

Cabrillo College vs. San Diego Miramar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and San Diego Miramar 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 San Diego Miramar College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Cabrillo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Miramar College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Miramar 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 Miramar College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 39%)

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.