Head-to-head · 2026
Modesto Junior College vs Santiago Canyon College
Compare average net price ($2,818 at Modesto Junior College; $2,129 at Santiago Canyon College), ROI score (37.59 vs 52.79), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,368 vs $44,956), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Modesto Junior College; Open / not reported at Santiago Canyon College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Modesto Junior College | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 37.59 | 52.79 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $2,818 | $2,129 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $11,272 | $8,516 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $1,282 | $1,164 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,264 | $9,612 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,368 | $44,956 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 29.6% | 47.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.4% ✓ | 70.7% |
| Median debt | — | $5,125 |
| Enrollment | 15,109 | 10,579 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Modesto Junior College | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,658 | -$219 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $1,623 | $454 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,809 ✓ | $4,833 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,508 ✓ | $9,373 |
| Family income $110k+ | $8,681 ✓ | $11,014 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Modesto Junior College | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 17.9% | 55.2% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 11.5% | 5.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.1% | 6.3% |
| Psychology, General | 6.3% | 4.5% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 9.1% | 0.7% |
| Sociology | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.5% | 1.9% |
| Real Estate | 1.9% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Santiago Canyon College reports the lower average net price by $689 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,756 difference over four years ($8,516 vs $11,272).
Santiago Canyon College reports $2,588 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,956 vs $42,368). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.4% at Modesto Junior College and 70.7% at Santiago Canyon College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Modesto Junior College vs Santiago Canyon College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Santiago Canyon College is cheaper — average net price $2,129 per year vs $2,818 at Modesto Junior College. The annual difference of $689 adds up to about $2,756 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Santiago Canyon College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,956 vs $42,368 at Modesto Junior College. The gap in the federal data is $2,588. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.