Mesa Community College vs. Pima Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Mesa Community College is larger than Pima Community College based on total student enrollment (17,077 students vs. 16,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mesa Community College is located in Mesa, AZ (Large City setting); Pima Community College is in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting).
• Mesa Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pima Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mesa Community College 18:1; Pima Community College 18:1.

Mesa Community College vs. Pima Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mesa Community College or Pima 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 Pima Community College than Mesa Community College ($3,670 vs. $12,951).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mesa Community College are 5.8% lower than at Pima Community College ($10,872 vs. $11,542).
• Pima Community College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mesa Community College (about $84 more per year; $2,442.00 vs. $2,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Mesa Community College than at Pima Community College (about $1,200 more per year; $8,958.00 vs. $7,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pima Community College than at Mesa Community College (66% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pima Community College students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Mesa Community College students ($6,216 vs. $4,980).

Mesa Community College vs. Pima Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mesa Community College or Pima 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 Pima 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; Pima Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mesa Community College Sep 1, 2026.

Mesa Community College vs. Pima Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mesa Community College and Pima 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 $5,400 more per year than Pima Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pima Community College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Mesa Community College graduates ($6,750 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Pima Community College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mesa Community College graduates ($69 vs. $82).
• More Pima Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mesa Community College students, three years after graduation. (33% 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.