San Jose City College vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose City College in San Jose, CA with San Jose State University in San Jose, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than San Jose City College based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 8,609 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose City College is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• San Jose City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Jose City College 26:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

San Jose City College vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose City College or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than San Jose City College ($13,892 vs. $19,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 7.4% lower than at San Jose City College ($20,971 vs. $22,658).
• San Jose State University is 515.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose City College (about $7,044 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $1,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at San Jose State than at San Jose City College (about $9,088 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $11,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose City College than at San Jose State University (85% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 116.3% larger than aid received by San Jose City College students ($12,353 vs. $5,712).

San Jose City College vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose City College or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State and San Jose City College.

• San Jose City College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose City College - Open admission; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.

San Jose City College vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose City College and San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than San Jose City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose City College graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($5,250 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose City College graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($54 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose City College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 36%)

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.