San Diego Mesa College vs. West Los Angeles College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Mesa College is larger than West Los Angeles College based on total student enrollment (19,212 students vs. 9,255 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

San Diego Mesa College vs. West Los Angeles College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Mesa College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College ($10,316 vs. $11,164).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Los Angeles College are 18.7% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($25,407 vs. $31,243).
• West Los Angeles College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $92 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College than at San Diego Mesa College (83% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 40.9% larger than aid received by West Los Angeles College students ($8,252 vs. $5,857).

San Diego Mesa College vs. West Los Angeles College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Mesa College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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; West Los Angeles College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Los Angeles College Jun 1, 2027.

San Diego Mesa College vs. West Los Angeles College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Mesa College and West Los Angeles 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 earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than West Los Angeles College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than West Los Angeles College graduates ($4,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Los Angeles College graduates ($46 vs. $98).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Los Angeles College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 26%)

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.