Mendocino College vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mendocino College in Ukiah, CA with Norco College in Norco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norco College is larger than Mendocino College based on total student enrollment (11,351 students vs. 4,225 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mendocino College is located in Ukiah, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mendocino College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mendocino College 16:1; Norco College 29:1.

Mendocino College vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mendocino College or Norco 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 Norco College than Mendocino College ($8,534 vs. $9,798).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mendocino College are 38% lower than at Norco College ($16,580 vs. $26,740).
• Norco College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mendocino College (about $5 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,423.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at Norco College than at Mendocino College (about $2,495 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $10,003.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mendocino College than at Norco College (84% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mendocino College students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Norco College students ($7,180 vs. $5,343).

Mendocino College vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mendocino College or Norco College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Norco College and Mendocino College.

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

Mendocino College vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mendocino College and Norco College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Mendocino College have median earnings of about $29,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Norco College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Norco College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Mendocino College graduates ($8,000 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Norco College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mendocino College graduates ($82 vs. $134).
• More Norco College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mendocino College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.