San Diego Mesa College vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Mesa College is larger than Norco College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 11,351 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego Mesa College 23:1; Norco College 29:1.

San Diego Mesa College vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Mesa College or Norco 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 Norco College than San Diego Mesa College ($8,534 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norco College are 14.4% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($26,740 vs. $31,243).
• Norco College is 24.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $282 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at Norco College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $2,496 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norco College than at San Diego Mesa College (81% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 54.4% larger than aid received by Norco College students ($8,252 vs. $5,343).

San Diego Mesa College vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Mesa College or Norco College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Norco 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; Norco College - Open admission.

San Diego Mesa College vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Mesa College and Norco College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from San Diego Mesa College have median earnings of about $41,600 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Norco College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Norco College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Norco College graduates ($46 vs. $82).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Norco 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.