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Public, 4-year

San Diego Mesa College

San Diego, California · www.sdmesa.edu

中文

Out-of-state tuition

$10,002

In-state $1,146

Peer median $8,816

Undergraduates

19,212

Student-faculty ratio 23:1

Peer median 18 : 1

“Peers” are all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

San Diego Mesa College (SDMC) is a prominent community college located in San Diego, California. Established in 1964, it has grown to become one of the largest community colleges in the state, serving a diverse student body of over 25,000. One of the college's defining features is its commitment to providing accessible and quality education. The college offers a wide range of programs, including over 200 degree and certificate options across various fields such as health sciences, business, engineering, and the arts. This extensive curriculum caters to students looking to transfer to four-year universities, as well as those seeking to enter the workforce directly after graduation.

The campus is known for its vibrant student life and supportive environment, fostering a strong sense of community among students and faculty. SDMC emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and diversity, which is reflected in its various student organizations and cultural events throughout the year. The college also boasts impressive facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and recreational areas that enhance the learning experience. In addition, the faculty is composed of highly qualified professionals dedicated to student success, providing mentorship and guidance to help students achieve their academic and career goals. San Diego Mesa College truly embodies a holistic educational approach, preparing students not only academically but also for personal growth and development.

Analysis of Key Trends at San Diego Mesa College

San Diego Mesa College has experienced significant changes in several critical metrics over the years, particularly concerning student enrollment, tuition fees, and gender ratios.

Firstly, the student enrollment figures reveal a declining trend, dropping from approximately 24,943 in 2013 to 18,076 in 2023. This represents a decrease of about 27%, indicating potential challenges in attracting and retaining students amidst a competitive higher education landscape. Such a trend may raise concerns about the institution's sustainability and its ability to offer diverse programs that meet the needs of the community.

In terms of tuition, there has been a noticeable increase in costs for out-of-state undergraduate students. In 2014, the tuition for these students was $5,682, which has escalated to $9,094 by 2024, reflecting a 60% increase. This steep rise in tuition could deter prospective students from enrolling, especially those from out of state, further exacerbating the decline in enrollment numbers.

Moreover, the gender ratio among undergraduate students has shifted slightly over the years. In 2013, males comprised 48.2% of the undergraduate population, whereas females accounted for 51.8%. By 2023, the male percentage decreased to approximately 44.1%, while female representation increased to about 55.9%. This shift may indicate changing dynamics in the demographics of students pursuing higher education, with females increasingly taking the lead.

Lastly, the graduation rates, while fluctuating, indicate a concerning trend. For instance, the graduation rate within 100% of the time frame was only 7.58% in 2013, and it has not shown significant improvement in subsequent years. Such low graduation rates could be indicative of various underlying issues, including academic preparedness, financial constraints, or inadequate support services for students.

In summary, San Diego Mesa College faces various challenges, including declining enrollment, rising tuition costs, shifts in gender demographics, and low graduation rates. Addressing these issues will be vital for the institution to enhance its appeal and effectiveness in serving the educational needs of the community.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Large city
Nearest major city
In San Diego
Nearest international airport
San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 5 mi
San Diego, California
Academic calendar
Semester
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Dr. Ashanti Hands (President)
Phone
6193882600
City
San Diego, California
Address
7250 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, CA 92111-4998

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate1,53911 international (0.7%)
Bachelor's200 international (0.0%)
Top 1 Bachelor's majors by graduates
Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician
20

U.S. studentsInternational

Data insights

Analysis of Graduation Data at San Diego Mesa College

The graduation data from San Diego Mesa College for 2023 reveals intriguing insights, particularly in the health and humanities fields. Notably, the Health Information/Medical Records Technology program stands out with 19 bachelor's degree graduates, demonstrating a strong interest in health-related careers, which aligns with the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the U.S. This trend has been further amplified by the ongoing global health challenges, emphasizing the importance of health information management.

In contrast, many other programs, especially within the performing arts and humanities, show no graduates at the bachelor or master's levels. This lack of graduates could reflect shifting student interests or potentially a market saturation in these fields. For instance, the absence of graduates in disciplines such as music, sculpture, and painting suggests a decline in enrollment or a preference for more career-oriented fields.

Furthermore, the associate degree statistics indicate that while there are graduates in various programs, such as 52 in Health Information and 27 in Child Care, there are no international students graduating with these qualifications. This could highlight barriers international students face in these specific programs, such as visa restrictions or the need for culturally specific qualifications.

Overall, the data indicates a growing focus on practical and career-oriented programs, particularly in health fields, while traditional arts and humanities disciplines may need to reevaluate their appeal and accessibility to attract a broader range of students.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Businesshas 351 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Business/Commerce, General.-
Business Administration and Management, General.$47,195
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.-
Small Business Administration/Management.-
Hospitality Administration/Management, General.-
Real Estate.-
Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General.-
Multi/inerdisciplinary studies has 165 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Biological and Physical Sciences.$38,269
Psychology has 147 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Psychology, General.$28,820
Biologyhas 119 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.$41,015
Health professionshas 108 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Dental Assisting/Assistant.-
Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician.$38,611-$51,729
Medical/Clinical Assistant.$55,472
Physical Therapy Assistant.$55,472
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.-
Liberal arts has 107 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.$44,585
Humanities/Humanistic Studies.$44,585
Social sciencehas 92 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Anthropology, General.-
Economics, General.-
Geography.-
Geographic Information Science and Cartography.-
Political Science and Government, General.-
Sociology, General.-
Visual and Performing artshas 69 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Visual and Performing Arts, General.-
Dance, General.-
Fashion/Apparel Design.-
Interior Design.-
Game and Interactive Media Design.-
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.-
Art/Art Studies, General.-
Drawing.-
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.-
Music, General.-
Computer and information sciencehas 60 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Information Technology.-
Computer Science.-
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design.-
Foreign languages has 57 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Chinese Language and Literature.-
Japanese Language and Literature.-
French Language and Literature.-
Italian Language and Literature.-
Spanish Language and Literature.-
American Sign Language (ASL).-
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation.-
Communication has 40 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.-
Journalism.-
Human science has 32 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General.-
Child Care Provider/Assistant.-
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management.-
Mathmatics and statistics has 28 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Mathematics, General.-
English has 28 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
English Language and Literature, General.-
Physical scienceshas 27 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Chemistry, General.-
Physics, General.-
History has 22 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
History, General.-
Construction trades has 17 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Building/Home/Construction Inspection/Inspector.-
Building/Construction Site Management/Manager.-
Parks, recreation, leisure has 16 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General.-
Exercise Science and Kinesiology.-
Agricultural has 15 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant.$36,288
Engineeringhas 15 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Pre-Engineering.-
Architecture has 13 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Architectural Technology/Technician.-
Culinary has 12 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General.-
Communications technologies has 9 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects.-
Philosophy has 4 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Philosophy.-
Natural resources has 3 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Environmental Studies.-
Cultural has 3 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnder
Ethnic Studies.-

Students

19,212 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 46:54

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (19,212)

Hispanic
8,068 · 42.0%
White
5,401 · 28.1%
Asian
2,513 · 13.1%
Two or more races
1,499 · 7.8%
Black
1,320 · 6.9%
Unknown
199 · 1.0%
International
64 · 0.3%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
10.2%
18–19
23.1%
20–21
17.0%
22–24
15.2%
25 and over
34.5%

Data insights

Demographic Insights of San Diego Mesa College Students in 2023

The student demographic data from San Diego Mesa College for 2023 reveals intriguing trends in gender distribution and ethnic diversity among its population. The total number of undergraduate freshmen stands at 2,389, with a close gender ratio of 48.4% male and 51.6% female students. This slight female majority is indicative of a broader trend in higher education where female enrollment has been steadily increasing.

In contrast, the undergraduate continuing students total 9,996, showing a more pronounced gender imbalance with 42.5% male and 57.5% female. This discrepancy might suggest that female students are not only enrolling in higher numbers but are also more likely to persist in their studies compared to their male counterparts. The statistics for undergraduate transfer students present a similar pattern, with 2,497 students, where males comprise 45.1% and females 54.9%.

Moreover, the data highlights the ethnic composition of students, particularly among freshmen, where 653 white students represent approximately 27.3% of this group, indicating a significant presence of diverse backgrounds. This diversity is essential in fostering an inclusive educational environment, preparing students for a globalized workforce.

Overall, the findings from San Diego Mesa College underscore the importance of addressing gender disparities and celebrating ethnic diversity, aligning with national trends in education and workforce development. As colleges continue to adapt to these changes, understanding these dynamics will be crucial for fostering an equitable learning environment.

Analysis of Student Age Demographics at San Diego Mesa College

The age demographic data from San Diego Mesa College reveals intriguing insights into the composition of its student body. The largest group of students falls within the 18-19 age range, with a total of 4,306 individuals, consisting of 2,041 male undergraduates and 2,265 female undergraduates. This indicates a robust influx of young students, which is likely reflective of the college's role as a primary institution for recent high school graduates.

As students age, participation appears to decline, particularly for those in the 30-34 age range and above, where enrollment figures drop significantly to just 506 males and 743 females. This pattern could suggest that older individuals face various challenges when pursuing higher education, such as work commitments or family responsibilities. Interestingly, there is a notable presence of students aged 40 and above, which highlights the increasing trend of adult learners seeking education later in life, a phenomenon that's becoming more common in today's job market that demands continual skill development.

The absence of graduate students in this dataset may indicate a focused emphasis on undergraduate education at this institution. This could be an area for San Diego Mesa College to explore further, perhaps by enhancing graduate program offerings to attract a more diverse age range of students.

Overall, while the college maintains a strong base of young learners, there exists a unique opportunity to engage and support older demographics, thus enriching the educational environment with varied perspectives and experiences.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Undergraduates0.3%

64 in 2025 · 3.2% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 3.2%2017: 1.0%2018: 1.1%2019: 1.1%2020: 0.9%2021: 0.5%2022: 0.3%2023: 0.3%2024: 0.3%2025: 0.3%
2016Peer median 0.6%2025

Data insights

Trends in International Enrollment at San Diego Mesa College

The data from San Diego Mesa College reveals a significant decline in the number of international students over the years, particularly from the peak in 2015 when the percentage of international undergraduates reached 3.35%. This figure has dramatically decreased to just 0.32% by 2023, highlighting a troubling trend for international education at the institution.

The number of international undergraduates fluctuated from 2004 to 2019, with notable increases around 2012 and 2015, suggesting potential factors such as changes in global mobility trends or targeted recruitment efforts during those years. However, the decline post-2015 raises concerns about the college's attractiveness to international students amid increasing competition from other institutions globally.

The sharp decrease in international enrollment can also be attributed to broader factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted travel and forced many institutions to shift to remote learning. Additionally, changing immigration policies in the United States may deter potential international students from pursuing their education here.

As San Diego Mesa College navigates this decline, it may need to reassess its international recruitment strategies and support services to create a more appealing environment for prospective students. Fostering a diverse student body not only enhances the educational experience for all students but can also contribute positively to the college's community and reputation on a global scale.

Cost

2025 cost per year (out-of-state)

$41,245

Undergrad tuition (out-of-state)
$10,002
Undergraduate tuition (in-state)
$1,146
Room and board
$31,243
Out-of-state tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $19,938 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Tuition rose 114% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 161%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$189M

Government grants and contracts
$167M88.7%
Tuition and fees
$7.9M4.2%
Investment return
$5.1M2.7%
Auxiliary enterprises
$1.7M0.9%
Other
$6.7M3.5%

Expenses$164M

Instruction
$47.4M28.9%
Student services
$19.2M11.7%
Academic support
$15.2M9.3%
Institutional support
$6.9M4.2%
Auxiliary enterprises
$4.5M2.7%
Scholarships
$4.2M2.6%
Public service
$955K0.6%
Other
$65.6M40.0%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

All faculty
$95,935peers $68,588
Instructor
$95,935peers $61,593

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes Other
2025
CCCAAMENWOMEN
Football103-
Track and Field (Outdoor)5126
Soccer3424
Baseball43-
Volleyball2219
Cross Country1614
Basketball1411
Softball-23
Swimming and Diving (combined)813
Water Polo15-
Beach Volleyball-15
Badminton-7
2024
CCCAAMENWOMEN
Football85-
Track and Field (Outdoor)4524
Soccer3221
Baseball41-
Swimming and Diving (combined)1822
Volleyball1616
Water Polo1813
Basketball1713
Cross Country1213
Softball-20
Beach Volleyball-14
Badminton-9
2023
CCCAAMENWOMEN
Football77-
Track and Field (Outdoor)4624
Soccer2629
Swimming and Diving (combined)1818
Baseball34-
Basketball1417
Water Polo1417
Volleyball1314
Cross Country179
Softball-25
Beach Volleyball-14
Badminton-9

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable schools near San Diego Mesa College:

  1. University of California-San Diego - Ranked 28th in the 2024 US News rankings, UC San Diego is a prestigious research university known for its strong emphasis on science, engineering, and medical programs.

  2. University of Southern California - With a rank of 28, USC is a leading private research university known for its programs in business, cinema, and the arts.

  3. California Institute of Technology - Ranked 7th, Caltech is renowned globally for its engineering and physical sciences programs.

  4. Pomona College - This highly regarded liberal arts college is ranked 4th and is known for its rigorous academic environment and beautiful campus.

  5. Claremont McKenna College - Ranked 11th, this liberal arts college is noted for its strong programs in economics and government.

  6. Harvey Mudd College - With a rank of 16th, Harvey Mudd is particularly famous for its engineering and science programs, focusing on a liberal arts education.

These institutions provide a variety of academic opportunities and are recognized for their excellence in education.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 0.4 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Incidents, 2023–2025

Drug arrests
17
Domestic violence
14
Stalking
10
Aggravated assault
7
Motor vehicle theft
5
Liquor arrests
5

From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Rates at San Diego Mesa College

The crime statistics for San Diego Mesa College over the past decade reveal a fluctuating trend in campus-related incidents. From 2013 to 2023, the average crime rate per 1,000 students showed significant variation, peaking in 2017 with a rate of 1.43, before gradually declining in subsequent years. Notably, the most alarming statistic was recorded in 2017, which saw an increase in serious offenses, including incidents of gun-related arrests and drug arrests.

In 2020 and 2021, the college experienced a remarkable decrease in crime rates, with averages of 0.43 and 0.39 respectively. This decline could potentially be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw many campuses shifting to remote learning, thereby reducing on-campus activities and interactions that could lead to criminal behavior. However, as the institution returned to normal operations in 2022, the crime rate began to rise again, indicating that the challenges of campus safety remain a concern.

The data also highlights the presence of various offenses, including assaults and drug-related arrests. The continued incidents of gun-related arrests and domestic violence raise critical questions about safety and security on campus. It is vital for the administration to implement comprehensive safety measures and promote awareness among students to mitigate these risks.

While crime is an unavoidable aspect of college life, understanding the trends and underlying factors is essential for creating a safe learning environment. As we progress through the academic year, it is crucial for institutions to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing campus safety concerns. For more insights on crime rate calculations, you can refer to this link.

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni of San Diego Mesa College include Annette Bening (Actress of screen and stage), Sam Daghles (Jordanian basketball player of Palestinian origin) and Tony Banks (Former NFL quarterback).

More alumni (3, by field)

Sports

  • Shlomo Lipetz 1979–

    Baseball pitcher for Team Israel

  • Geoff Geary 1976–

    Former MLB relief pitcher for Phillies and Astros

  • Matt Kofler 1959–2008

    Former NFL quarterback for Bills and Colts

    Also attended: San Diego State University

From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.