Monterey Peninsula College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

Compare Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, CA with Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pasadena City College is larger than Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula College or Pasadena 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 Pasadena City College than Monterey Peninsula College ($6,888 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 44.7% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($19,431 vs. $35,118).
• Monterey Peninsula College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $8 more per year; $1,188.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Monterey Peninsula College than at Pasadena City College (about $752 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College than at Pasadena City College (85% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students ($6,759 vs. $5,088).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula College or Pasadena 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 Pasadena City College and Monterey Peninsula College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission; Pasadena City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula College and Pasadena 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 Monterey Peninsula College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Pasadena City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 31%)

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.