College of the Desert vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Desert in Palm Desert, 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 College of the Desert based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 12,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA (Small City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• College of the Desert is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Desert 26:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

College of the Desert vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Desert 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 College of the Desert ($10,316 vs. $18,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Desert are 19.5% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($25,151 vs. $31,243).
• College of the Desert is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $180 more per year; $1,326.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at College of the Desert than at San Diego Mesa College (about $172 more per year; $10,174.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Desert than at San Diego Mesa College (88% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 21% larger than aid received by College of the Desert students ($8,252 vs. $6,822).

College of the Desert vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Desert 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 College of the Desert.

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

College of the Desert vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Desert 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 $6,500 more per year than College of the Desert graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $838 lower median loan debt than College of the Desert graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,338).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Desert graduates ($46 vs. $55).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Desert 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.