San Diego Mesa College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About San Diego Mesa College
Set on a mesa with ocean breezes, San Diego Mesa College has a reputation for practical, transfer-focused learning. Students find solid general education paired with hands-on work in labs and studios. The library and learning commons, tutoring, counseling, and focused transfer and career support make planning the next step feel manageable.
And the vibe is welcoming, diverse, and very San Diego, equal parts collaborative and beach casual. Clubs, service projects, and athletics keep things lively, with teams known as the Olympians. Career prep taps regional strengths in healthcare, biotech, creative media, business, and public service, opening doors to internships and projects. Off campus, beaches, canyons, and a vibrant food scene offer quick breaks. It's a grounded place to build momentum, then keep going.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
San Diego Mesa College offers 75 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,879 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (9 programs, 333 graduates), Liberal Arts (2 programs, 294 graduates), Health (9 programs, 206 graduates), Psychology (1 programs, 148 graduates) and Biological Sciences (1 programs, 120 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (9 programs, 333 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 249 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.0201 |
| Business Administration | 30 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 20 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Real Estate | 12 |
|
Associate's
|
52.1501 |
| Retail Management | 7 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0212 |
| Hospitality Management | 7 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 5 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.1801 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0204 |
| Small Business Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0703 |
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 294 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 285 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24.0101 |
| Humanities Studies | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0103 |
Health (9 programs, 206 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technology | 47 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.0707 |
| Dental Assisting | 32 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0601 |
| Electroneurodiagnostic Technology | 28 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0903 |
| Radiologic Technology | 24 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 23 |
|
Other Award
|
51.9999 |
| Medical Assistant | 20 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0801 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 20 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Medical Insurance Coding | 7 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0713 |
| Dental Services and Allied Professions | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0699 |
Psychology (1 programs, 148 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 148 |
|
Associate's
|
42.0101 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 120 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 120 |
|
Associate's
|
26.0101 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 118 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 118 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Social Sciences (7 programs, 111 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 36 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 31 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 19 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 8 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
45.0702 |
| Geography | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0701 |
| Social Sciences | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0101 |
Arts (10 programs, 92 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 44 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0701 |
| Interior Design | 14 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 10 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0411 |
| Music | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0901 |
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0407 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0101 |
| Theatre Arts | 4 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0501 |
| Dance | 2 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0301 |
| Drawing | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0705 |
| Sculpture | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0709 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 70 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 48 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0701 |
| Information Technology | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0103 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 8 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0801 |
Communication (2 programs, 62 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 54 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0101 |
| Journalism | 8 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0401 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about San Diego Mesa College
How much does it cost to attend San Diego Mesa College?
The annual tuition at San Diego Mesa College is $1,150 for in-state students and $9,094 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,088 for in-state students and $10,032 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $30,736 (off-campus) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does San Diego Mesa College offer?
San Diego Mesa College offers 75 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (9 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (9 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at San Diego Mesa College?
San Diego Mesa College provides financial aid to 6% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,983 and average loans of $4,169.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,478
- State/Local grants: $5,124
- Institutional grants: $2,759
- Federal loans: $3,022
The university supports 810 students with grants and 37 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for San Diego Mesa College graduates?
San Diego Mesa College graduates earn a median salary of $35,773 after 6 years and $45,120 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $20,924 (25th percentile) to $71,725 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $78,100 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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