San Diego Mesa College vs. Las Positas College

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego Mesa College in San Diego, CA with Las Positas College in Livermore, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego Mesa College is larger than Las Positas College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 8,103 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Las Positas College is in Livermore, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Las Positas College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego Mesa College 23:1; Las Positas College 25:1.

San Diego Mesa College vs. Las Positas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Mesa College or Las Positas 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 Las Positas College than San Diego Mesa College ($8,669 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Las Positas College are 26.1% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($23,076 vs. $31,243).
• Las Positas College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $22 more per year; $1,168.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at San Diego Mesa College than at Las Positas College (about $194 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $9,808.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Las Positas College (79% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 115% larger than aid received by Las Positas College students ($8,252 vs. $3,839).

San Diego Mesa College vs. Las Positas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Mesa College or Las Positas 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 Las Positas College and San Diego Mesa College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego Mesa College - Open admission; Las Positas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Las Positas College Aug 1, 2027.

San Diego Mesa College vs. Las Positas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Mesa College and Las Positas 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 Las Positas College earn a median of about $100 more per year than San Diego Mesa College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Las Positas College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 41%)

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.