Cypress College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cypress College in Cypress, 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 Cypress College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 15,924 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cypress College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cypress 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 Cypress College than San Diego Mesa College ($7,253 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cypress College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Cypress 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 23.8% higher at Cypress College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $2,377 more per year; $12,379.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cypress College than at San Diego Mesa College (89% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Cypress College students ($8,252 vs. $6,345).

Cypress College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cypress College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cypress College Aug 25, 2027.

Cypress College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cypress 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 $2,300 more per year than Cypress College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Cypress College graduates ($4,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cypress College graduates ($46 vs. $98).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cypress College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 38%)

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.