Gavilan College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Gavilan College in Gilroy, 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 Gavilan College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 6,083 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gavilan College is located in Gilroy, CA (Rural Fringe setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Gavilan 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: Gavilan College 27:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Gavilan College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gavilan 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 Gavilan College than San Diego Mesa College ($8,753 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gavilan College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Gavilan College is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $362 more per year; $1,508.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Gavilan College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $2,247 more per year; $12,249.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gavilan College than at San Diego Mesa College (83% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 48% larger than aid received by Gavilan College students ($8,252 vs. $5,577).

Gavilan College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

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

Gavilan College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gavilan 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 $8,000 more per year than Gavilan College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Gavilan College graduates ($4,500 vs. $7,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gavilan College graduates ($46 vs. $77).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gavilan College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 30%)

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.