Mesa Community College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ with Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mesa Community College is larger than Estrella Mountain Community College based on total student enrollment (17,077 students vs. 10,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mesa Community College is located in Mesa, AZ (Large City setting); Estrella Mountain Community College is in Avondale, AZ (Small Suburban setting).
• Mesa Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Estrella Mountain Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mesa Community College 18:1; Estrella Mountain Community College 25:1.

Mesa Community College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mesa Community College or Estrella Mountain Community 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 Mesa Community College than Estrella Mountain Community College ($12,951 vs. $13,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Mesa Community College and Estrella Mountain Community College ($10,872).
• Mesa Community College and Estrella Mountain Community College have the same published in-state tuition ($2,358.00 vs. $2,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at Mesa Community College as at Estrella Mountain Community College ($8,958.00 vs. $8,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Estrella Mountain Community College than at Mesa Community College (70% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mesa Community College students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Estrella Mountain Community College students ($4,980 vs. $4,777).

Mesa Community College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mesa Community College or Estrella Mountain Community 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 Estrella Mountain Community College and Mesa Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mesa Community College - Open admission; Estrella Mountain Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mesa Community College Sep 1, 2026.

Mesa Community College vs. Estrella Mountain Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mesa Community College and Estrella Mountain Community 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 Mesa Community College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Estrella Mountain Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Estrella Mountain Community College graduates have a $927 lower median loan debt than Mesa Community College graduates ($7,073 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Estrella Mountain Community College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mesa Community College graduates ($73 vs. $82).
• More Estrella Mountain Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mesa Community College students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 32%)

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.