Pasadena City College
About Pasadena City College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Pasadena City College sits a few streets from Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The sciences, business and psychology are its largest programs, and it is a well-trodden route into the University of California.
Founded
1924
Location
Pasadena, California
Students
21,466
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
47.9%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,180
Out-of-state: $9,820
Avg Net Price
$3,864
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$43,937
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
47.9% complete their degree within three years
Retention
76%
Transfer Out
9%
Teaching Quality
23:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
43.7%
$/Student
$6.5K
Class Size
Large
While 47.9% finish in 4 years, 76% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,180
In-State
$9,820
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$938
Total Cost of Attendance
$13,677
After Financial Aid
$3,864
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$3,051
Receive Grants
31.1%
Take Loans
0.9%
Tuition is $1,180/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $3,864.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Pasadena City College fund their education.
While in School
31.1%
Get Grants
Free money
0.9%
Take Loans
Must repay
$18,768
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$6,651
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$71/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $6,651, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Pasadena City College.
Gender
54%
Female
46%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
21,466
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
56.4%
First-Gen
22 yrs
Avg Age
31.4%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (54% women, 46% men). 56.4% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
21,466
Students
community
Institution
Large
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Pasadena City College fields 11 varsity teams with 334 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
11
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
334
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
62% / 38%
207
Men
127
Women
7
Men's Teams
9
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Pasadena City Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$43,937
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$42K
1359 grads
4yr Earnings
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
835 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$21K
754 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$25K
204 grads
1yr Earnings
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
—
198 grads
Economics
—
176 grads
Graduates earn about $33K six years out, growing to $44K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pasadena City College
How much does Pasadena City College cost?▾
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How much do Pasadena City College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.