San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California
San Diego Mesa College is a public institution in San Diego, California with 15,899 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $1,150 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 33.8%, median earnings of $45,120, and median federal debt of $4,725.
$1,150 is lower than the state average of $10,571.
33.8% is lower than the state average of 55.0%.
$45,120 is higher than the state average of $43,430.
About San Diego Mesa College
| Location | San Diego, California |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | bachelor |
| Website | www.sdmesa.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $1,150 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $9,094 |
| Total Enrollment | 15,899 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 33.8% |
| Retention Rate | N/A |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $45,120 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,725 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $50 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 15.6% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 2.0% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.1 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
15.6% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 2.0% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at San Diego Mesa College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $4,600, while the reported median debt is $4,725 with an estimated monthly payment of $50. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Hispanic students (40.9%), followed by White students (28.1%) and Asian students (14.2%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($45,120) divided by median debt ($4,725)