Hartnell College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hartnell College in Salinas, 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 Hartnell College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 11,273 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hartnell College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell 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 Hartnell College than Pasadena City College ($5,246 vs. $6,888).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 32.9% lower than at Hartnell College ($19,431 vs. $28,953).
• Hartnell College is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $224 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Hartnell College than at Pasadena City College (about $554 more per year; $10,374.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at Pasadena City College (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Hartnell College students ($6,759 vs. $6,263).

Hartnell College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hartnell 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 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; Pasadena City College - Open admission.

Hartnell College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell 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 Pasadena City College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.