LMC vs. Saddleback College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, CA with Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saddleback College is larger than LMC based on total student enrollment (20,764 students vs. 8,455 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Saddleback College is in Mission Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Los Medanos College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Saddleback College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Medanos College 23:1; Saddleback College 27:1.

LMC vs. Saddleback College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LMC or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College than LMC ($8,122 vs. $9,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Medanos College are 9.8% lower than at Saddleback College ($23,238 vs. $25,769).
• Los Medanos College is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saddleback College (about $156 more per year; $1,312.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at Saddleback College than at Los Medanos College (about $1,540 more per year; $11,860.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Medanos College than at Saddleback College (83% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Medanos College students is 11% larger than aid received by Saddleback College students ($5,109 vs. $4,603).

LMC vs. Saddleback College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LMC or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College and LMC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LMC - Open admission; Saddleback College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: LMC Aug 9, 2027.

LMC vs. Saddleback College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LMC and Saddleback 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 Saddleback College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than LMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Saddleback College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LMC students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 43%)

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.