Chaffey College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

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

Chaffey College is larger than San Diego Mesa College based on total student enrollment (22,460 students vs. 19,212 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chaffey College is located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Chaffey 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: Chaffey College 25:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Chaffey College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chaffey 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 Chaffey College than San Diego Mesa College ($7,809 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chaffey College are 19.9% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($25,038 vs. $31,243).
• Chaffey College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $38 more per year; $1,184.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Chaffey College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $1,118 more per year; $11,120.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chaffey College than at San Diego Mesa College (87% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Chaffey College students ($8,252 vs. $5,787).

Chaffey College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

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

Chaffey College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chaffey 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 $6,300 more per year than Chaffey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $35,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chaffey 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.