Bakersfield College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with San Diego Mesa College in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than San Diego Mesa College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 19,212 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Bakersfield College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or San Diego Mesa College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego Mesa College than Bakersfield College ($10,316 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bakersfield College are 22.6% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($24,192 vs. $31,243).
• Bakersfield College is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $284 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at Bakersfield College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $1,298 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bakersfield College than at San Diego Mesa College (85% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Bakersfield College students ($8,252 vs. $5,940).

Bakersfield College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or San Diego Mesa College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Diego Mesa College and Bakersfield College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.

Bakersfield College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and San Diego Mesa College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from San Diego Mesa College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $4,455 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($46 vs. $92).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.