Valley College vs. San Diego City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Valley College in Valley Glen, 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 Valley College is larger than San Diego City College based on total student enrollment (15,999 students vs. 13,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Valley College is located in Valley Glen, CA (Large City setting); San Diego City College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Valley 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 Valley College 28:1; San Diego City College 22:1.

Valley College vs. San Diego City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valley 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 Valley College ($10,040 vs. $13,550).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Valley College are 18.7% lower than at San Diego City College ($25,407 vs. $31,243).
• Los Angeles Valley 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 Valley 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 Valley College (87% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego City College students is 68.2% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Valley College students ($10,500 vs. $6,243).

Valley College vs. San Diego City College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valley College - Open admission; San Diego City College - Open admission.

Valley College vs. San Diego City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valley 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 Valley College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than San Diego City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $33,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Valley College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valley College graduates ($46 vs. $87).
• More Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego City College students, three years after graduation. (39% 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.