Chabot College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Mesa College is larger than Chabot College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 12,842 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chabot College is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Chabot 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: Chabot College 24:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Chabot College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chabot 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 Chabot College ($10,316 vs. $11,043).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chabot College are 26.1% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($23,076 vs. $31,243).
• Chabot College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $4 more per year; $1,150.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at San Diego Mesa College than at Chabot College (about $1,316 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $8,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chabot College than at San Diego Mesa College (84% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 61% larger than aid received by Chabot College students ($8,252 vs. $5,125).

Chabot College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chabot 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 Chabot College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chabot College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chabot College Jul 30, 2027.

Chabot College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chabot 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 $2,000 more per year than Chabot College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than Chabot College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,875).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chabot College graduates ($46 vs. $91).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chabot College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 35%)

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.