Monterey Peninsula College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

Compare Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, 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 Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); San Diego Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Monterey Peninsula 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: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College ($10,316 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Mesa College are 11% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($31,243 vs. $35,118).
• Monterey Peninsula College is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $42 more per year; $1,188.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Monterey Peninsula College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $570 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College than at San Diego Mesa College (85% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 62.2% larger than aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students ($8,252 vs. $5,088).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula 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 $2,700 more per year than Monterey Peninsula College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 31%)

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.