Hartnell College vs. Monterey Peninsula College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hartnell College in Salinas, CA with Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hartnell College is larger than Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (11,273 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); Monterey Peninsula College is in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Hartnell College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hartnell College 22:1; Monterey Peninsula College 23:1.

Hartnell College vs. Monterey Peninsula College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell College or Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College ($5,246 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hartnell College are 17.6% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($28,953 vs. $35,118).
• Hartnell College is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Monterey Peninsula College (about $216 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,188.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College (94% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hartnell College students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students ($6,263 vs. $5,088).

Hartnell College vs. Monterey Peninsula College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hartnell College or Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula 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; Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

Hartnell College vs. Monterey Peninsula College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell College and Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Monterey Peninsula College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (31% 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.