Pasadena City College (PCC) is a public 2-year community college founded in 1924 and located in Pasadena, California, in the San Gabriel Valley northeast of Los Angeles. With approximately 24,600 students, PCC is one of the largest and most academically distinguished community colleges in California, offering over 100 degree and certificate programs and widely recognized as one of the state's premier transfer-prep institutions. PCC consistently ranks among the top community colleges in the country and has produced more UC Berkeley transfer students than virtually any other community college in California. The college's strong transfer pathways to University of California campuses, California State University system, and private institutions like USC are a cornerstone of its academic identity. PCC offers exceptional programs in science and engineering, business, arts, health sciences, and social sciences, benefiting from its proximity to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, and a rich Pasadena arts community. International students from 63 countries represent approximately 5% of enrollment, attracted by PCC's academic reputation and its location in greater Los Angeles. The college was founded in 1924 and moved to its current 53-acre campus in the 1940s. The Lancers athletics program competes in the California Community College Athletic Association. Ten years after enrollment, PCC students earn a median of $37,900, reflecting the diverse range of programs and transfer outcomes.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$12750
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $9,820
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
