Central Arizona College vs. Mesa Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Arizona College in Coolidge, AZ with Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mesa Community College is larger than Central Arizona College based on total student enrollment (17,077 students vs. 5,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Arizona College is located in Coolidge, AZ (Distant Rural setting); Mesa Community College is in Mesa, AZ (Large City setting).
• Central Arizona College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Mesa Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Arizona College 15:1; Mesa Community College 18:1.

Central Arizona College vs. Mesa Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Arizona College or Mesa Community 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 Central Arizona College than Mesa Community College ($5,544 vs. $12,951).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Arizona College are 19.2% lower than at Mesa Community College ($8,786 vs. $10,872).
• Mesa Community College is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Arizona College (about $108 more per year; $2,358.00 vs. $2,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at Mesa Community College than at Central Arizona College (about $4,458 more per year; $8,958.00 vs. $4,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Arizona College than at Mesa Community College (74% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Arizona College students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Mesa Community College students ($5,325 vs. $4,980).

Central Arizona College vs. Mesa Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Arizona College or Mesa Community 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 Mesa Community College and Central Arizona College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Arizona College - Open admission; Mesa Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mesa Community College Sep 1, 2026.

Central Arizona College vs. Mesa Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Arizona College and Mesa Community 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 Mesa Community College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Central Arizona College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mesa Community College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Central Arizona College graduates ($8,000 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Mesa Community College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Arizona College graduates ($82 vs. $98).
• More Mesa Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Arizona College students, three years after graduation. (32% 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.