Merritt College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Merritt College in Oakland, 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 Merritt College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 7,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merritt College is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Merritt 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: Merritt College 33:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Merritt College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merritt 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 Merritt College ($10,316 vs. $15,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merritt College are 27% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,820 vs. $31,243).
• Merritt College is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $112 more per year; $1,258.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at San Diego Mesa College than at Merritt College (about $104 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Merritt College (79% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 66% larger than aid received by Merritt College students ($8,252 vs. $4,972).

Merritt College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

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

Merritt College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merritt 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 Merritt 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 $7,000 lower median loan debt than Merritt College graduates ($4,500 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merritt College graduates ($46 vs. $118).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merritt 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.