Pasadena City College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

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

Pasadena City College is larger than San Diego Mesa College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 19,212 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pasadena City College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City College or San Diego Mesa 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 Pasadena City College than San Diego Mesa College ($6,888 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 37.8% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($19,431 vs. $31,243).
• Pasadena City College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $34 more per year; $1,180.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at San Diego Mesa College than at Pasadena City College (about $182 more per year; $10,002.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Mesa College than at Pasadena City College (79% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 22.1% larger than aid received by Pasadena City College students ($8,252 vs. $6,759).

Pasadena City College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City College or San Diego Mesa 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 Diego Mesa College and Pasadena City College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pasadena City College - Open admission; San Diego Mesa College - Open admission.

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

How do outcomes compare for Pasadena City College and San Diego Mesa 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 $3,700 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pasadena City College graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pasadena City College graduates ($46 vs. $56).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena 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.