Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Los Angeles Pierce College

Open-data reference.

We found 8 schools structurally similar to Los Angeles Pierce College that cost less. 8 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Los Angeles Pierce College

Woodland Hills, California · Public

$13,270
Net Price
$44,521
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
43.9%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Los Angeles Pierce College

Los Angeles Pierce College posts an average net price of $13,270 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Los Angeles Pierce College across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 8 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $10,286, achieved by CUNY Hunter College at $2,984. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 8 of the 8 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Los Angeles Pierce College’s $44,521, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $65,812.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

8
Alternatives Found
$10,286
Max Savings
8
Better Value Options
48%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. University of Colorado Denve $64k 2. California State University- $71k 3. CUNY City College $66k 4. CUNY Queens College $63k 5. California State University- $63k Compared to Los Angeles Pierce College: $45k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, CO · Public Better Value
$11,900 -$1,370 $64,270 46.7% 48%
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA · Public Better Value
$9,320 -$3,950 $71,401 46.7% 46%
CUNY City College
New York, NY · Public Better Value
$3,776 -$9,494 $66,039 55.8% 45%
CUNY Queens College
Queens, NY · Public Better Value
$4,195 -$9,075 $62,763 56.4% 45%
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Public Better Value
$10,229 -$3,041 $62,908 54.4% 43%
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA · Public Better Value
$4,564 -$8,706 $59,977 54.8% 43%
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY · Public Better Value
$3,033 -$10,237 $75,971 72.1% 40%
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY · Public Better Value
$2,984 -$10,286 $63,163 58.8% 40%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Los Angeles Pierce College are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Los Angeles Pierce College?
We found 8 schools similar to Los Angeles Pierce College that cost less. The closest match is University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus with 48% similarity and a net price of $11,900.
What is the ROI of attending Los Angeles Pierce College?
Los Angeles Pierce College has an average net price of $13,270. Former students earn a median of $44,521 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 3.4x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Los Angeles Pierce College for less money?
Yes - 8 of 8 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus costs $11,900 (saving $1,370) with median earnings of $64,270.
What is the cheapest alternative to Los Angeles Pierce College?
The most affordable similar school is CUNY Hunter College at $2,984, saving $10,286 compared to Los Angeles Pierce College. It has a 40% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 8 alternatives have an average median earnings of $65,812 compared to Los Angeles Pierce College's $44,521. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.