Irvine Valley College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Irvine Valley College in Irvine, 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 Irvine Valley College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 13,018 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Irvine Valley College is located in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Irvine Valley 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: Irvine Valley College 31:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Irvine Valley College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Irvine Valley 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 Irvine Valley College than San Diego Mesa College ($5,821 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Irvine Valley College are 17.5% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($25,769 vs. $31,243).
• Irvine Valley College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $10 more per year; $1,156.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Irvine Valley College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $1,858 more per year; $11,860.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Irvine Valley College (79% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Irvine Valley College students ($8,252 vs. $7,254).

Irvine Valley College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Irvine Valley 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 Irvine Valley College.

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

Irvine Valley College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Irvine Valley 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 $400 more per year than Irvine Valley College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Irvine Valley College graduates ($4,500 vs. $6,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Irvine Valley College graduates ($46 vs. $62).
• More Irvine Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Mesa College students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.