Pierce College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, 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 Pierce College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 16,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Pierce 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: Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Pierce College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pierce 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 San Diego Mesa College than Pierce College ($10,316 vs. $14,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Pierce College are 18.7% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($25,407 vs. $31,243).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $92 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Pierce College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $570 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (79% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 29% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students ($8,252 vs. $6,398).

Pierce College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pierce College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Pierce College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pierce 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 $1,800 more per year than Pierce College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Pierce College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pierce College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pierce College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 33%)

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.