San Diego Mesa College

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

San Diego Mesa College is a public institution located in San Diego, CA, offering 76 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 15,899 students, San Diego Mesa College serves a substantial student population. Financial aid significantly reduces the cost of attendance, with the average net price after aid at $-904.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $1,150
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $-904 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 15,899 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 33.75%

Costs

Tuition Costs

$1,150
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at San Diego Mesa College was $1,150.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$-904
2024 Value

In 2024 San Diego Mesa College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $-904.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$-3,616 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$-904 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$4,600 4-Year In-State Tuition

$36,376 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for San Diego Mesa College.

Financial Aid by Income Level

15.56% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

2.03% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at San Diego Mesa College was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

Test score data is not available for this institution.

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at San Diego Mesa College in 2024 is 15,899 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

0.00% 100% Completion Time

33.75% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 0.00% of students graduating from San Diego Mesa College completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for San Diego Mesa College.

Return on Investment

$4,725 Median Student Debt

$45,120 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

10.47% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

1.0 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for San Diego Mesa College.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

Liberal Arts & Sciences: 285 completions

CIP 52.0201: 249 completions

General Psychology: 148 completions

General Biological Sciences: 120 completions

CIP 30.0101: 118 completions

Communication and Media Studies: 54 completions

Computer Science: 48 completions

CIP 51.0707: 47 completions

CIP 50.0701: 44 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 1,879 completions

Most popular programs at San Diego Mesa College.

Employment Outcomes

$35,773 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$40,734 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$45,120 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for San Diego Mesa College graduates.

About

San Diego Mesa College is a public institution located in San Diego, CA, offering 76 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 15,899 students. The institution maintains a 33.75% graduation rate. Approximately 15.56% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

Location

San Diego, CA 92111-4998

Region: Far West

Insights and Analysis

Graduation Rate Considerations: The 33.75% graduation rate at San Diego Mesa College falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.

Diverse Program Offerings: With over 76 distinct degree programs, San Diego Mesa College provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
    • Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
    • Employment and wage data by occupation
    • Latest data: May 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
    • Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
    • Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
    • Source: onetcenter.org
  • IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
    • Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
  • Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
    • Demographic and workforce data
    • Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
    • Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.