San Diego Mesa College vs. San Jose City College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Mesa College is larger than San Jose City College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 8,609 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); San Jose City College is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Jose City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego Mesa College 23:1; San Jose City College 26:1.

San Diego Mesa College vs. San Jose City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Mesa College or San Jose City 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 San Jose City College ($10,316 vs. $19,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose City College are 27.5% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,658 vs. $31,243).
• San Jose City College is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $220 more per year; $1,366.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at San Jose City College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $1,920 more per year; $11,922.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose City College than at San Diego Mesa College (85% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 44.5% larger than aid received by San Jose City College students ($8,252 vs. $5,712).

San Diego Mesa College vs. San Jose City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Mesa College or San Jose City 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 Jose City 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; San Jose City College - Open admission.

San Diego Mesa College vs. San Jose City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Mesa College and San Jose City 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 $7,400 more per year than San Jose City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than San Jose City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,250).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose City College graduates ($46 vs. $54).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose City College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 36%)

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.