Golden West College vs. Pierce College

Comparable Facts

Compare Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA with Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Los Angeles Pierce College is larger than Golden West College based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 10,721 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, CA (Large Suburban setting); Los Angeles Pierce College is in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting).
• Golden West College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Golden West College 29:1; Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1.

Golden West College vs. Pierce College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Golden West College or Pierce 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 Golden West College than Pierce College ($6,681 vs. $14,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Golden West College are 6.9% lower than at Los Angeles Pierce College ($23,659 vs. $25,407).
• Golden West College is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pierce College (about $142 more per year; $1,380.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Golden West College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (about $1,056 more per year; $11,628.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Golden West College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (82% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Golden West College students is 7% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students ($6,849 vs. $6,398).

Golden West College vs. Pierce College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Golden West College or Pierce 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 Pierce College and Golden West College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Golden West College - Open admission; Pierce College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Golden West College vs. Pierce College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Golden West College and Pierce 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 Los Angeles Pierce College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Golden West College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Golden West College graduates have a $5,016 lower median loan debt than Pierce College graduates ($5,484 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Golden West College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pierce College graduates ($56 vs. $108).
• More Golden West College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pierce College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

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.