Highest earnings after college
Median earnings ten years after starting.
- 1University of San Diego$86,522
- 2National University$67,548
- 3San Diego State University$64,909
- 4The Chicago School at San Diego$56,899
- 5San Diego Christian College$49,766
College & student life
College guide to El Cajon
El Cajon college guide: Grossmont College, Southern California Seminary and more, with rankings, campus events, game days and study spots.
Colleges near El Cajon
Pick a campus for its live schedule, game days and the best spots nearby.
In El CajonCommunity college · Since 1961Grossmont College10,000–19,999 students$5,311 net price · 37% graduate
SCSIn El Cajon
Private collegeSouthern California SeminaryUnder 1,000 students50% graduate
7 mi awayPublic university · Since 1897San Diego State University20,000+ students$15,364 net price · 76% graduate
NU10 mi away
Private university · Since 1971National University20,000+ students$22,878 net price · 43% graduate
11 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1918Ashford University20,000+ students$31,266 net price · 11% graduate
11 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1961Southwestern College20,000+ students$12,671 net price · 36% graduate
12 mi awayPublic college · Since 1963San Diego Mesa College10,000–19,999 students$5,814 net price · 35% graduate
SDM12 mi away
Community college · Since 1969San Diego Miramar College10,000–19,999 students$3,337 net price · 49% graduate
12 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1914San Diego City College10,000–19,999 students$7,935 net price · 30% graduate
4 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1978Cuyamaca College5,000–9,999 students$6,618 net price · 41% graduate
NU10 mi away
Private university · Since 1996Northcentral University5,000–9,999 students
13 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1949University of San Diego5,000–9,999 students$30,365 net price · 84% graduate
SDC4 mi away
Private college · Since 1970San Diego Christian CollegeUnder 1,000 students$992 net price · 20% graduate
13 mi awayPrivate college · Since 1969Thomas Jefferson School of LawUnder 1,000 students
IC13 mi away
Two-year collegeICOHS CollegeUnder 1,000 students$99,682 net price · 81% graduate
CWS13 mi away
Private college · Since 1924California Western School of LawUnder 1,000 students
CSS13 mi away
Private collegeThe Chicago School at San DiegoUnder 1,000 students
FST13 mi away
Private college · Since 1854Franciscan School of TheologyUnder 1,000 students
College list from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS directory (NCES).
Campus in pictures near El Cajon
Quads, libraries, stadiums and halls at the colleges in this guide. Tap a photo for the college page.
Games and campus events near El Cajon
The next seven days at every college in this guide, updated daily from their own calendars.
How colleges near El Cajon compare
Ranked on official College Scorecard figures: what graduates earn, what students pay after aid, and how many finish.
Best value
Median earnings per dollar of the average yearly net price.
- 1San Diego Christian College50.2× net price
- 2San Diego Miramar College14.5× net price
- 3San Diego Mesa College7.8× net price
- 4Grossmont College7.6× net price
- 5Cuyamaca College4.9× net price
Most affordable
Average yearly net price after grants and scholarships.
- 1San Diego Christian College$992
- 2San Diego Miramar College$3,337
- 3Grossmont College$5,311
- 4San Diego Mesa College$5,814
- 5Cuyamaca College$6,618
Highest graduation rates
Share of full-time students who finish within 150% of normal time.
Most selective
Lowest admission rates.
- 1San Diego Christian College31% admitted
- 2San Diego State University36% admitted
- 3University of San Diego52% admitted
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A college appears in a list only when the Department reports that figure for it; graduation rates compare four-year colleges.
Compare colleges near El Cajon side by side
Size, cost after aid, graduation and earnings for every college in this guide. Tap a column to sort.
| College | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grossmont CollegeCommunity college | In town | 12,163 | $5,311 | Open | 37% | $40,309 |
| Southern California SeminaryPrivate college | In town | 32 | – | Open | 50% | $39,607 |
| San Diego State UniversityPublic university | 7 mi | 35,377 | $15,364 | 36% | 76% | $64,909 |
| National UniversityPrivate university | 10 mi | 10,794 | $22,878 | Open | 43% | $67,548 |
| Ashford UniversityPrivate university | 11 mi | 20,152 | $31,266 | Open | 11% | $35,404 |
| Southwestern CollegeCommunity college | 11 mi | 18,614 | $12,671 | Open | 36% | $40,060 |
| San Diego Mesa CollegePublic college | 12 mi | 16,098 | $5,814 | Open | 35% | $45,120 |
| San Diego Miramar CollegeCommunity college | 12 mi | 11,271 | $3,337 | Open | 49% | $48,224 |
| San Diego City CollegeCommunity college | 12 mi | 10,441 | $7,935 | Open | 30% | $38,503 |
| Cuyamaca CollegeCommunity college | 4 mi | 7,177 | $6,618 | Open | 41% | $32,435 |
| Northcentral UniversityPrivate university | 10 mi | 60 | – | – | – | $48,414 |
| University of San DiegoPrivate university | 13 mi | 5,671 | $30,365 | 52% | 84% | $86,522 |
| San Diego Christian CollegePrivate college | 4 mi | 87 | $992 | 31% | 20% | $49,766 |
| Thomas Jefferson School of LawPrivate college | 13 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
| ICOHS CollegeTwo-year college | 13 mi | 171 | $99,682 | Open | 81% | – |
| California Western School of LawPrivate college | 13 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
| The Chicago School at San DiegoPrivate college | 13 mi | 2 | – | – | – | $56,899 |
| Franciscan School of TheologyPrivate college | 13 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A dash means the Department doesn't report that figure for the college.
Coffee and study spots
Local cafés and tea rooms for long afternoons with a laptop.
DA
Daymar Artisan Coffee Roasters
RestaurantAC
Arman Cafe
RestaurantAR
Antique Row Cafe
RestaurantTC
Tyne Coffee Co.
RestaurantGF
Gillespie Field Cafe
RestaurantJC
Janet's Cafe
RestaurantIC
Izzy's Cafe
RestaurantBC
Bonny's Cafe
RestaurantBB
Busy B Thai Cafe
RestaurantOpen late
Kitchens and bars serving past 10 p.m.
TT
Thai Time
RestaurantAC
Arman Cafe
RestaurantMore to do in El Cajon
Concerts, markets, free events and game days, updated every day.