Grossmont College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grossmont College in El Cajon, 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 Grossmont College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 14,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Grossmont 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: Grossmont College 24:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Grossmont College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grossmont 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 Grossmont College than San Diego Mesa College ($8,351 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grossmont College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Grossmont College is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $186 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Grossmont College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $626 more per year; $10,628.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Grossmont College (79% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Grossmont College students ($8,252 vs. $6,370).

Grossmont College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grossmont College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

Grossmont College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grossmont 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 $3,400 more per year than Grossmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College and Grossmont College graduates have the same median loan debt ($4,500 vs. $4,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, San Diego Mesa College and Grossmont College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($46 vs. $46).
• More Grossmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Mesa College students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.