San Diego Mesa College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Mesa College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego Mesa College 23:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

San Diego Mesa College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Mesa College or Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College ($10,316 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Smith Chason College is 1,561.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $17,894 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.4% higher at Smith Chason College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $9,038 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Smith Chason College (79% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Smith Chason College students ($8,252 vs. $6,731).

San Diego Mesa College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

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

San Diego Mesa College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Mesa College and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than San Diego Mesa College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($4,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($46 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Mesa College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.