Mendocino College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mendocino College in Ukiah, 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 Mendocino College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 4,225 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mendocino College is located in Ukiah, CA (Rural Fringe setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Mendocino 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: Mendocino College 16:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Mendocino College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mendocino 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 Mendocino College than San Diego Mesa College ($9,798 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mendocino College are 46.9% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($16,580 vs. $31,243).
• Mendocino College is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $277 more per year; $1,423.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at Mendocino College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $1 more per year; $10,003.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mendocino College than at San Diego Mesa College (84% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Mendocino College students ($8,252 vs. $7,180).

Mendocino College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mendocino College or San Diego Mesa College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Diego Mesa College and Mendocino College.

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

Mendocino College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mendocino College and San Diego Mesa College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from San Diego Mesa College earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Mendocino College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $29,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Mendocino College graduates ($4,500 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mendocino College graduates ($46 vs. $134).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mendocino College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 30%)

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.