Hartnell College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hartnell College in Salinas, 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 Hartnell College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 11,273 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Hartnell 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: Hartnell College 22:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Hartnell College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell 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 Hartnell College than San Diego Mesa College ($5,246 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hartnell College are 7.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($28,953 vs. $31,243).
• Hartnell College is 22.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $258 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Hartnell College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $372 more per year; $10,374.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at San Diego Mesa College (94% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 31.8% larger than aid received by Hartnell College students ($8,252 vs. $6,263).

Hartnell College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

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

Hartnell College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell 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 $5,300 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 27%)

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.