Grossmont College vs. Orange Coast College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA with Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Orange Coast College is larger than Grossmont College based on total student enrollment (17,096 students vs. 14,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); Orange Coast College is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Grossmont College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Orange Coast College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grossmont College 24:1; Orange Coast College 27:1.

Grossmont College vs. Orange Coast College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grossmont College or Orange Coast 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 Grossmont College than Orange Coast College ($8,351 vs. $9,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orange Coast College are 13.3% lower than at Grossmont College ($19,159 vs. $22,086).
• Orange Coast College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grossmont College (about $60 more per year; $1,392.00 vs. $1,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Orange Coast College than at Grossmont College (about $1,012 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $10,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grossmont College than at Orange Coast College (67% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grossmont College students is 16% larger than aid received by Orange Coast College students ($6,370 vs. $5,493).

Grossmont College vs. Orange Coast College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grossmont College or Orange Coast 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 Orange Coast College and Grossmont College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grossmont College - Open admission; Orange Coast College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

Grossmont College vs. Orange Coast College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grossmont College and Orange Coast 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 Orange Coast College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Grossmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Orange Coast College graduates ($4,500 vs. $6,500).
• Among borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Orange Coast College graduates ($46 vs. $67).
• More Orange Coast College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grossmont College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 43%)

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.