Pierce College vs. San Diego City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA with San Diego City College in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Los Angeles Pierce College is larger than San Diego City College based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 13,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting); San Diego City College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1; San Diego City College 22:1.

Pierce College vs. San Diego City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pierce College or San Diego 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 San Diego City College than Pierce College ($10,040 vs. $14,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Pierce College are 18.7% lower than at San Diego City College ($25,407 vs. $31,243).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego City College (about $92 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Pierce College than at San Diego City College (about $570 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego City College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (87% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego City College students is 64.1% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students ($10,500 vs. $6,398).

Pierce College vs. San Diego City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pierce College or San Diego 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 San Diego City College and Pierce College.

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

Pierce College vs. San Diego City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pierce College and San Diego 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 Los Angeles Pierce College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than San Diego City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $33,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Pierce College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pierce College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More Pierce College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego City College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 30%)

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.