MJC vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Modesto Junior College in Modesto, 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 MJC based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 18,258 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Modesto Junior College is located in Modesto, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Modesto Junior 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: Modesto Junior College 32:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

MJC vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MJC 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 Modesto Junior College than San Diego Mesa College ($5,605 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Modesto Junior College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Modesto Junior College is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $136 more per year; $1,282.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at San Diego Mesa College than at Modesto Junior College (about $738 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $9,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Modesto Junior College (79% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Modesto Junior College students ($8,252 vs. $5,984).

MJC vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MJC 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 MJC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MJC - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027.

MJC vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MJC 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 $7,600 more per year than MJC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.