Cabrillo College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA with Smith Chason College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cabrillo College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (9,457 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or Smith Chason 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 Cabrillo College than Smith Chason College ($20,716 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 12.6% lower than at Cabrillo College ($22,086 vs. $25,281).
• Smith Chason College is 1,399.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $17,770 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.1% higher at Smith Chason College than at Cabrillo College (about $9,178 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Smith Chason College (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($6,731 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

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

Cabrillo College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Cabrillo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cabrillo College graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Cabrillo College graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($108 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cabrillo College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.