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GCC ECC Los Angeles City College West Los Angeles College Mt. SAC East Los Angeles College Citrus College SBCC Pierce College De Anza College Orange Coast College RHC| Pasadena City College | Santa Monica College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
| Location | Pasadena, CA | Santa Monica, CA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 21,923 | 22,375 | ||
| Type | Public 2 Year | Public 2 Year | ||
| National Ranking | ||||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | pasadena.edu | smc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,104 | $1,104 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,504 | $9,048 | ||
| Room & Board | $17,784 | $11,556 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $4,420 | $6,656 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,275 | $4,650 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 80% | 64% |
Admission |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | - | - | ||
| Admitted | - | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | Open | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | Open | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | - | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | - | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | ||||
| SAT Range | ||||
| Submit Test Scores | ||||
| Application Deadline | Aug 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 22:1 | 26:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
| Graduation Rate | - | - | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $39,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 36% | 45% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $5,500 | $6,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $56 | $67 |
Diversity |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 7% | 26% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 9% | ||
| % Hispanic | 50% | 38% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 11% | 4% | ||
| % International | 4% | 11% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 95% | 76% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 0% | 0% | ||
Campus |
Pasadena City College | SMC | ||
| Campus Housing | No | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | No | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Santa Monica College is larger than than Pasadena City College based on total student enrollment (22,375 students vs. 21,923 students)
Pasadena City College vs. SMC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City College or SMC?
- Pasadena City College and SMC cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($1,104.00 vs. $1,104.00)
- Out of state tuition is 5% higher at Pasadena City College than Santa Monica College ($9,504.00 vs. $9,048.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pasadena City College than SMC ($4,420 vs. $6,656)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Monica College are 53.9% lower than costs at Pasadena City College ($11,556 vs. $17,784)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pasadena City College than Santa Monica College (80% vs. 64%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 34.9% larger than aid received Santa Monica College ($6,275 vs. $4,650)
Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City College or SMC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SMC or Pasadena City College .
Pasadena City College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Pasadena City College or SMC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SMC and Pasadena City College.
- Graduates from Santa Monica College earn on average $1,100 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $37,900)
- Pasadena City College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than SMC graduates. ($5,500 vs. $6,500)
- Pasadena City College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than SMC graduates. ($56 vs. $67)
- More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 36%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/