Colleges in Pasadena, California
14 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 14 colleges and universities in Pasadena, California (7 Private nonprofit, 6 Private for-profit, 1 Public). 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 14 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $25,065 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 56.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 75% of applicants.
The median net price in Pasadena runs about $4,354 higher 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 Pasadena, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$25,065
After aid
Median grad rate
56.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
75%
Median enrollment
270
Undergrad
All colleges in Pasadena
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | 33.5% | 12% | 22,688 | Partial | |
| Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $3,864 | 47.9% | Not available | 21,466 | Partial | |
| Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $48,661 | 79.2% | 75% | 2,017 | Complete | |
| California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $16,075 | 94.4% | 3% | 987 | Complete | |
| Institute of Culinary Education Pasadena, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | Not available | 77.3% | Not available | 553 | Partial | |
| Pacific Oaks College Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | 34% | 312 | Partial | |
| Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $43,590 | 41.3% | 88% | 227 | Complete | |
| Integrity College of Health Pasadena, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $14,819 | Not available | Not available | 225 | Partial | |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Pasadena Pasadena, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $26,022 | 37.5% | Not available | 170 | Partial | |
| Providence Christian College Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $25,163 | 20.0% | 100% | 168 | Complete | |
| Capstone College Pasadena, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $16,012 | 64.3% | Not available | 148 | Partial | |
| California College of Music Pasadena, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $25,065 | 70.0% | 100% | 60 | Partial | |
| Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing | |
| Saybrook University Pasadena, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (7)
Private nonprofit colleges in Pasadena are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- University of the PeopleNet price: Not availableGrad: 33.5%
- Art Center College of DesignNet price: $48,661Grad: 79.2%
- California Institute of TechnologyNet price: $16,075Grad: 94.4%
- Pacific Oaks CollegeNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- Providence Christian CollegeNet price: $25,163Grad: 20.0%
- Fuller Theological SeminaryNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- Saybrook UniversityNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private for-profit (6)
Private for-profit colleges in Pasadena operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Institute of Culinary EducationNet price: Not availableGrad: 77.3%
- Los Angeles College of MusicNet price: $43,590Grad: 41.3%
- Integrity College of HealthNet price: $14,819Grad: Not available
- Paul Mitchell the School-PasadenaNet price: $26,022Grad: 37.5%
- Capstone CollegeNet price: $16,012Grad: 64.3%
- California College of MusicNet price: $25,065Grad: 70.0%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Pasadena are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Pasadena City CollegeNet price: $3,864Grad: 47.9%
Top programs in Pasadena
Most-completed programs across Pasadena colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business31.8% of degrees
- Computer science14.9% of degrees
- Health professions13.2% of degrees
- Liberal arts11.3% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary5.3% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts4.0% of degrees
- Engineering tech2.8% of degrees
- Social sciences2.3% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Pasadena
Q.How many colleges are in Pasadena, California?
There are 14 colleges and universities in Pasadena, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 7 Private nonprofit, 6 Private for-profit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Pasadena?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of the People is the largest institution in Pasadena with roughly 22,688 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Pasadena?
Based on average net price after aid, Pasadena City College is the most affordable institution in Pasadena at $3,864 per year.
Q.Which Pasadena college has the highest graduation rate?
California Institute of Technology reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Pasadena institutions at 94.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Pasadena?
The median net price across all 14 colleges in Pasadena is $25,065 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Pasadena?
Across Pasadena colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Computer science, Health professions.
Q.Are there community colleges in Pasadena?
Yes — Pasadena includes 1 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 Pasadena 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.