Cuyamaca College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, 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 Cuyamaca College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 8,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuyamaca College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Cuyamaca College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuyamaca College 28:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Cuyamaca College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuyamaca 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 Cuyamaca College ($6,888 vs. $7,752).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 12% lower than at Cuyamaca College ($19,431 vs. $22,086).
• Cuyamaca College is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $166 more per year; $1,346.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Cuyamaca College than at Pasadena City College (about $1,494 more per year; $11,314.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cuyamaca College than at Pasadena City College (81% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cuyamaca College students is 22% larger than aid received by Pasadena City College students ($8,246 vs. $6,759).

Cuyamaca College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cuyamaca 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 Cuyamaca College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cuyamaca College - Open admission; Pasadena City College - Open admission.

Cuyamaca College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuyamaca 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 Pasadena City College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Cuyamaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $31,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cuyamaca College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pasadena City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, Cuyamaca College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pasadena City College graduates ($46 vs. $56).
• More Cuyamaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.