Colleges in El Cajon, California
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in El Cajon, California (2 Public, 2 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $12,888 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 50.0%.
The median net price in El Cajon runs about $7,824 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in El Cajon, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$12,888
After aid
Median grad rate
50.0%
6-year
Median admission rate
Not available
Median enrollment
157
Undergrad
All colleges in El Cajon
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grossmont College El Cajon, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $5,311 | 37.4% | Not available | 12,163 | Partial | |
| Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $6,618 | 40.5% | Not available | 7,177 | Partial | |
| Bellus Academy-El Cajon El Cajon, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $30,049 | 71.8% | Not available | 157 | Partial | |
| ATA College El Cajon, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $19,157 | 89.5% | Not available | 80 | Partial | |
| Southern California Seminary El Cajon, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | 50.0% | Not available | 32 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (2)
Public colleges in El Cajon are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Grossmont CollegeNet price: $5,311Grad: 37.4%
- Cuyamaca CollegeNet price: $6,618Grad: 40.5%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in El Cajon operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Bellus Academy-El CajonNet price: $30,049Grad: 71.8%
- ATA CollegeNet price: $19,157Grad: 89.5%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in El Cajon are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Southern California SeminaryNet price: Not availableGrad: 50.0%
Top programs in El Cajon
Most-completed programs across El Cajon colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts35.1% of degrees
- Business14.4% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary8.6% of degrees
- Social sciences5.2% of degrees
- Computer science3.8% of degrees
- Health professions3.6% of degrees
- Psychology3.0% of degrees
- Foreign languages3.0% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in El Cajon
Q.How many colleges are in El Cajon, California?
There are 5 colleges and universities in El Cajon, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Public, 2 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in El Cajon?
By undergraduate enrollment, Grossmont College is the largest institution in El Cajon with roughly 12,163 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in El Cajon?
Based on average net price after aid, Grossmont College is the most affordable institution in El Cajon at $5,311 per year.
Q.Which El Cajon college has the highest graduation rate?
ATA College reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among El Cajon institutions at 89.5%.
Q.What is the average tuition in El Cajon?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in El Cajon is $12,888 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in El Cajon?
Across El Cajon colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Business, Interdisciplinary.
Q.Are there community colleges in El Cajon?
Yes — El Cajon includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in El Cajon that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.