- One of the largest and most successful of California's 109 community colleges, San Diego Mesa College takes pride in its high academic standards, its excellent programs and services, and its personal approach to helping each individual student succeed.
School Highlights
San Diego Mesa College serves 29,029 students (32% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 45:1 is higher than the state community college average of 32:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 29,029 students
- In-state tuition: $1,380
- Out-state tuition: $7,170
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Student:teacher ratio: 45:1
- Minority enrollment: 70%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
San Diego Mesa College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 644 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
San Diego Mesa College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Associate's Dominant
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Associate's Dominant
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
644 staff
315 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of San Diego Mesa College has grown by 40% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 45:1 has increased from 32:1 over five years.
The San Diego Mesa College diversity score of 0.72 is more than the state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
29,029 students
9,796 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
45:1
32:1
# Full-Time Students
9,329 students
1,259 students
# Part-Time Students
19,700 students
8,537 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
290 students
242 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
9,329 students
1,250 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
63 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
19,700 students
8,299 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
121 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
15%
13%
% Hispanic
39%
47%
% Black
7%
7%
% White
30%
23%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
8%
5%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
1%
3%
Diversity Score
0.72
0.70
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
23%
28%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.3378%
0.4286%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$40,100
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,380 is less than the state average of $1,516. The in-state tuition has grown by 20% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,170 is more than the state average of $6,779. The out-state tuition has declined by 15% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,380
$1,516
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,170
$6,779
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
68%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$5,625
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,283
$6,239
Acceptance Rate
100%
93%
Sports
Total Sports Offered
13 sports
Sports
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- At San Diego Mesa College, students will find a wide and diverse array of day, evening, weekend, and on-line courses leading to 176 Associate in Arts, Associate in Science degrees and certificate programs. Students may also pursue courses and programs of general interest. Because of the college's comprehensive offerings, excellent programs, uniquely talented faculty and support services, Mesa College enjoys one of the highest student transfer rates in California and the nation.Mesa students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities enjoy a great advantage because of our carefully designed and articulated course of study culminating in a Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree with a designated area of emphasis that reflects the student's ultimate career focus. In addition, Mesa continually maintains and updates guaranteed transfer agreements with colleges and universities in California and throughout the nation. Students following the vocational track have similar success when they enter or advance through the job market. Unique partnerships with local industries have created pathways for upward mobility and success in high-demand occupations. Mesa College provides extensive collegiate and co-curricular experiences for students, including such opportunities as student government; 20 men's and women's intercollegiate athletic teams; clubs; performance groups; an Honors Program; Service Learning and a host of activities in which students learn leadership skills, expand their academic horizons and celebrate cultural diversity.
- Because of the college's comprehensive offerings, its excellent programs, its uniquely talented faculty, and its support services, San Diego Mesa College enjoys one of the highest student transfer rates in California. San Diego Mesa College offers a beautiful campus environment, including a state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center, which opened in April 1998. The new Center was constructed at a cost of twenty million dollars, and its four stories occupy 107,000 square feet in the middle of the campus. The facility offers expanded library holdings, an enormous computer lab for student use, and advanced media facilities.San Diego Mesa College is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does San Diego Mesa College cost?
San Diego Mesa College's tuition is approximately $1,380 for In-State students and $7,170 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of San Diego Mesa College?
The acceptance rate of San Diego Mesa College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 93%.
What sports does San Diego Mesa College offer?
San Diego Mesa College offers 13 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Water Polo.
What is San Diego Mesa College's ranking?
San Diego Mesa College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.
In what neighborhood is San Diego Mesa College located?
San Diego Mesa College is located in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego, CA.
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