Hartnell College vs. RHC

Comparable Facts

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

Rio Hondo College is larger than Hartnell College based on total student enrollment (17,441 students vs. 11,273 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); Rio Hondo College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hartnell College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rio Hondo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hartnell College 22:1; Rio Hondo College 31:1.

Hartnell College vs. RHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell College or RHC? 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 RHC ($5,246 vs. $16,449).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rio Hondo College are 23.7% lower than at Hartnell College ($22,086 vs. $28,953).
• Hartnell College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RHC (about $16 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,388.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Hartnell College than at Rio Hondo College (about $490 more per year; $10,374.00 vs. $9,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at Rio Hondo College (94% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hartnell College students is 24% larger than aid received by Rio Hondo College students ($6,263 vs. $5,049).

Hartnell College vs. RHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hartnell College or RHC? 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 RHC 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; RHC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: RHC Aug 20, 2027.

Hartnell College vs. RHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell College and RHC? 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 Rio Hondo College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More RHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (34% 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.