Public · Mostly associate degrees · Midsize city

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, California. 21,466 undergraduates.

48%Graduation rate10 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$16,993Average net price per year71% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$47,494Median earnings 10 years after starting5% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$10,500Median debt at graduation12% below the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($10,500) equals 22% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($47,494). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$16,993

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $1,180 in-state, $11,380 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate48%38%
Return for second year76%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$39,055$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$47,494$45,146
Median debt at graduation$10,500$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

121 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing80$100,888$109,308$15,000
Natural Sciences——$60,911—
Business Administration, Management and Operations968—$52,533—
Criminal Justice and Corrections65—$49,072—
Communication and Media Studies80—$48,226—
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services50—$45,411—
Sociology81—$44,306—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities2,116—$41,778—
Psychology, General297—$40,152$5,500
Social Sciences, General——$37,670—
English Language and Literature, General60—$37,582—
Fine and Studio Arts100—$32,539—
Agricultural Production Operations1———
Architectural Sciences and Technology17———
Area Studies2———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies6———
Journalism9———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication58———
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians6———
Graphic Communications12———
Computer Programming13———
Computer Software and Media Applications3———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management6———
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services3———
Culinary Arts and Related Services1———
Special Education and Teaching116———
Engineering, General9———
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General318———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians1———
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians2———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services14———
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics29———
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics4———
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics34———
American Sign Language4———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services6———
Apparel and Textiles5———
Non-Professional Legal Studies13———
Legal Support Services28———
Library and Archives Assisting9———
Biology, General41———
Mathematics119———
Biological and Physical Sciences1,021———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness93———
Philosophy12———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences1———
Physics36———
Fire Protection4———
Anthropology6———
Economics287———
Geography and Cartography5———
Political Science and Government35———
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection3———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians5———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians9———
Visual and Performing Arts, General26———
Dance1———
Design and Applied Arts11———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft15———
Music14———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General769———
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services29———
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions19———
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services2———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions11———
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants2———
Accounting and Related Services12———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services7———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations7———
Finance and Financial Management Services3———
Hospitality Administration/Management6———
International Business3———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations3———
History36———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Pasadena City College cost per year?
The average net price at Pasadena City College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $16,993 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Pasadena City College graduates earn?
Former Pasadena City College students earn a median of $47,494 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Pasadena City College?
48% of Pasadena City College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Pasadena City College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Pasadena City College is $10,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.