Grossmont College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grossmont 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 Grossmont College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 14,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Grossmont College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grossmont College 24:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Grossmont College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grossmont 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 Grossmont College ($6,888 vs. $8,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 12% lower than at Grossmont College ($19,431 vs. $22,086).
• Grossmont College is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $152 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Grossmont College than at Pasadena City College (about $808 more per year; $10,628.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pasadena City College than at Grossmont College (78% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Grossmont College students ($6,759 vs. $6,370).

Grossmont College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grossmont 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 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; Pasadena City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

Grossmont College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grossmont 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 Grossmont College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pasadena City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pasadena City College graduates ($46 vs. $56).
• More Grossmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.