Hartnell College vs. Pierce College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hartnell College in Salinas, 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 Hartnell College based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 11,273 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); Los Angeles Pierce College is in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting).
• Hartnell 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: Hartnell College 22:1; Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1.

Hartnell College vs. Pierce College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell 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 Hartnell College than Pierce College ($5,246 vs. $14,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Pierce College are 12.2% lower than at Hartnell College ($25,407 vs. $28,953).
• Hartnell College is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pierce College (about $166 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Pierce College than at Hartnell College (about $198 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (94% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students is 2.2% larger than aid received by Hartnell College students ($6,398 vs. $6,263).

Hartnell College vs. Pierce College Admissions comparison

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

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

Hartnell College vs. Pierce College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell 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 $3,500 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Pierce College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 27%)

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.