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San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: 7250 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, CA 92111 · Phone: (619) 388-2600 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
San Diego Mesa College is a public trade and career school in San Diego, California offering medical billing & coding, medical assistant, and dental assistant programs, accredited by the ACCJC.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median debt of $4,725 and earn a median of $45,120 ten years after entry; the campus completion rate is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for San Diego Mesa College; the school does participate in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 15.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical records specialists | $43,800 | $61,810 | $80,630 |
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
| Dental assistants | $38,790 | $50,110 | $60,670 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $70,210 | $121,260 | $137,770 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 52 | not reported | $41,565 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | $32,284 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 16 | $34,796 | $47,260 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 15 | $34,796 | $47,260 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 2–4 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
San Diego Mesa College is a public community college located in San Diego, California. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. The college holds accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, along with program-specific accreditation from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Among its 14 trade and career programs, the campus awards the most credentials in medical billing & coding (60 completers), medical assistant programs (37 completers), and dental assistant schools (28 completers).
Federal data shows 169 trade program completers against an undergraduate enrollment of 16,098. The statewide average completion rate is 64.2%, though this campus's own completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $4,725, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,120. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 15.7% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some low-income student enrollment.
This large-city public college may suit students seeking short, focused certificate programs in fields like medical billing, medical assisting, or dental assisting, as well as those pursuing longer allied-health credentials tied to specialized accreditation. Whether specific program lengths fit an adult career-changer's schedule is not detailed in this data set. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and review detailed outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
San Diego Mesa College offers 14 trade and career programs, with the most completions in medical billing & coding (60), medical assistant programs (37), and dental assistant schools (28). Other program families include construction trades, radiology technology, and culinary arts.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. It also holds program-specific accreditation from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, San Diego Mesa College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants. About 15.7% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus's own completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The statewide average completion rate is 64.2%, but no direct comparison is available.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of San Diego Mesa College carry a median debt of $4,725, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates are $45,120 ten years after entry, according to the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly at (619) 388-2600 or visit https://www.sdmesa.edu/ for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
San Diego Mesa College is a public institution, which generally means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state funding, in addition to federal aid.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data set. Contact the school directly to confirm the duration of individual programs.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status through the ACCJC and other listed accreditors, and review detailed federal outcome data at the College Scorecard page: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?122375.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data shows a mix of certificate-style programs (medical billing, medical assisting, dental assisting) and longer allied-health credentials, but specific fit for adult career-changers based on schedule or format is not detailed in the available data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach San Diego Mesa College by phone at (619) 388-2600 or visit their website at https://www.sdmesa.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not included in this data set; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?122375 to compare institutions directly.
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Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.