Monterey Peninsula College vs. Riverside City College

Comparable Facts

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

Riverside City College is larger than Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (21,730 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Riverside City College is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Riverside City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; Riverside City College 26:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Riverside City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula College or Riverside 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 Riverside City College than Monterey Peninsula College ($10,174 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Riverside City College are 23.9% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($26,740 vs. $35,118).
• Riverside City College is 20.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Monterey Peninsula College (about $240 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,188.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Riverside City College than at Monterey Peninsula College (about $1,926 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College than at Riverside City College (85% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Riverside City College students is 27% larger than aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students ($6,463 vs. $5,088).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Riverside City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula College or Riverside 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 Riverside 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; Riverside City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027; Riverside City College Oct 20, 2026.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Riverside City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula College and Riverside 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 $2,900 more per year than Riverside City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Riverside City College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.