Mesa Community College vs. Scottsdale Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Mesa Community College is larger than Scottsdale Community College based on total student enrollment (17,077 students vs. 7,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mesa Community College is located in Mesa, AZ (Large City setting); Scottsdale Community College is in Scottsdale, AZ (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mesa Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Scottsdale Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mesa Community College 18:1; Scottsdale Community College 16:1.

Mesa Community College vs. Scottsdale Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mesa Community College or Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale Community College ($12,951 vs. $14,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Mesa Community College and Scottsdale Community College ($10,872).
• Mesa Community College and Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale Community College ($8,958.00 vs. $8,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mesa Community College than at Scottsdale Community College (62% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mesa Community College students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Scottsdale Community College students ($4,980 vs. $4,325).

Mesa Community College vs. Scottsdale Community College Admissions comparison

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

Mesa Community College vs. Scottsdale Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mesa Community College and Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale Community College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Mesa Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scottsdale Community College graduates have a $700 lower median loan debt than Mesa Community College graduates ($7,300 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Scottsdale Community College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mesa Community College graduates ($75 vs. $82).
• More Scottsdale Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mesa Community College students, three years after graduation. (38% 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.