Head-to-head comparison
San Diego Mesa College vs National University: which has better ROI?
Option A San Diego, CA
San Diego Mesa College
- Net price / year
- $5,814
- Earnings, 10 years
- $45,120
- Payback
- No payback
Option B San Diego, CA
National University
- Net price / year
- $22,878
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,548
- Payback
- 4.8 yrs
National University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,512 in 4.8 years versus not at all at San Diego Mesa College, on median earnings of $67,548 vs $45,120 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego Mesa College | National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,814 | $22,878 |
| Total net cost | $11,628 | $91,512 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,120 | $67,548 |
| Median debt | $4,725 | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$76,428 | $292,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, San Diego Mesa College or National University?
San Diego Mesa College, at $5,814 a year after aid versus $22,878 — a gap of $17,064 a year, or $79,884 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do San Diego Mesa College or National University graduates earn more?
National University graduates report a median $67,548 ten years after entry, $22,428 more than the $45,120 at San Diego Mesa College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, San Diego Mesa College or National University?
San Diego Mesa College: its completers carry a median $4,725 in federal loans versus $25,000 at National University, a difference of $20,275. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at National University, against 35% at San Diego Mesa College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.