GCC vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Glendale Community College in Glendale, 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 GCC based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 12,075 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Glendale Community College is located in Glendale, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Glendale Community 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: Glendale Community College 28:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

GCC vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCC 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 Glendale Community College than San Diego Mesa College ($10,060 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Glendale Community College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Glendale Community College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $45 more per year; $1,191.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at GCC than at San Diego Mesa College (about $933 more per year; $10,935.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Glendale Community College than at San Diego Mesa College (85% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Glendale Community College students ($8,252 vs. $6,418).

GCC vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCC 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 GCC.

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

GCC vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCC 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 $3,400 more per year than GCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More GCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Mesa College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 41%)

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.