Compton College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Compton College in Compton, 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 Compton College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 5,225 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Compton College is located in Compton, CA (Small City setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Compton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Compton College 17:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Compton College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Compton 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 Compton College ($6,888 vs. $14,449).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 12% lower than at Compton College ($19,431 vs. $22,086).
• Pasadena City College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Compton College (about $38 more per year; $1,180.00 vs. $1,142.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Pasadena City College than at Compton College (about $998 more per year; $9,820.00 vs. $8,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pasadena City College than at Compton College (78% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 7% larger than aid received by Compton College students ($6,759 vs. $6,316).

Compton College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

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

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

Compton College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Compton 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 $1,500 more per year than Compton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Compton College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 25%)

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.