When it comes to the best city colleges in San Diego, it can be hard to distinguish between the schools that are well-known and those that are lesser-known. After all, they both offer many of the same degrees and classes, so how do you know which one will give you the best college experience? Here’s a list of the top 10 best city colleges in San Diego that will make it easier to choose where to enroll!
A city or community college is an educational institution designed to provide access to post-secondary education at an affordable cost. At community colleges, students can pursue a two-year associate’s degree or complete technical and vocational programs. If you’re looking for flexible scheduling and small class sizes, a community college might be right for you. Community colleges may offer open enrollment or be selective based on major and GPA; it depends on each individual school’s requirements.
Top 10 Best City Colleges in San Diego
1. Mesa College
Mesa College is one of 10 colleges and universities that make up CCCSD, a large community college district in San Diego. It offers associate degrees and certificates through several programs for students at all levels. The school also provides an array of services for its diverse student body, including tutoring and mentoring programs.
Mesa College offers a number of degree options—more than 60—to help students prepare for work or transfer to four-year colleges and universities. It also maintains six centers with distinct specialties to help meet students’ specific needs: Arts & Humanities, Health Science & Public Safety, Science, Engineering & Technology Management, Business and Multimedia Communications Center.
Mesa College tuition fee is $3,671 per semester for in-state students and $5,313 for out-of-state students. The cost of living in Mesa is 2% lower than the national average. The most popular majors at Mesa College include: Business Administration and Management, General; Information Technology; Psychology; General Studies; and Social Sciences. About 4% of Mesa students transfer to another college every year.
In order to apply to Mesa College you must submit an application and pay a $45 nonrefundable application fee. In addition to your application you need to submit transcripts that show proof of high school completion or GED equivalency, SAT or ACT test scores (unless you’re considered a transfer student), official transcripts from any previous colleges attended, an essay on why you want to attend their school, two letters of recommendation (one from an academic source) and a writing sample.
Mesa College has an acceptance rate of 84% with an early decision option available for those who are certain about their plans for college.
MiraCosta College
Inland residents looking for a public institution to attend might want to consider Miramar College, located just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego. The 2-year community college offers academic transfer programs and fast-track degree programs (including an Associate of Arts and Sciences that takes two years to complete).
MiraCosta College college also provides associate degrees in dozens of vocational areas, including Aviation Technology and Culinary Arts. Students can access traditional library services, an online catalog, and virtual resources via campus computers. Those with at least 30 transferable credits are eligible for priority registration as well as fee waivers for up to six classes per semester.
MiraCosta College tuition fee is $4600. This college offers more than 200 degree programs and certificates, including nursing, teaching and automotive technology.
MiraCosta College is a public community college located in Oceanside, California. It was founded in 1967 and has an annual enrollment of approximately 14,000 students. The college was originally named Oceanside College until it was renamed in 2008 to MiraCosta College by the Board of Trustees of the California Community Colleges System.
The school has a wide variety of academic offerings including over 200 associate degrees and certificates in subjects such as nursing, teaching, automotive technology and business administration.
The school also offers several transfer options for students who wish to pursue their bachelor’s degree at a four-year university after completing their associate degree program at MiraCosta College.
Palomar College
If you’re looking for a college in San Diego that offers traditional classes and quality education at an affordable price, look no further than Palomar College. The top-notch staff at Palomar work with students to help them achieve their goals—no matter how big or small they may be. So if you’re serious about earning your degree, don’t overlook Palomar College.
For example, if you need to study new languages or tech-related skills for your career, you can take advantage of resources like study abroad programs and industry certifications. Smaller class sizes and state-of-the-art facilities are just some of the perks that come with attending Palomar College.
Palomar College tuition fee is $46 per unit, which equates to $1,104 per quarter or $2,408 per year.
Palomar College offers more than 150 associate degree programs and certificate programs.
The school has an open admissions policy, so anyone can enroll in Palomar College without restrictions on age or high school GPA. However, admission to some programs may require specific coursework and/or testing requirements.
Student-to-faculty ratio at Palomar College is 16:1 with an average class size of 24 students.
Grossmont College
If you’re looking for a top-tier college education without breaking your bank, Grossmont College is an excellent option. With tuition under $2000 and plenty of unique majors, it’s not difficult to see why Grossmont is one of best city colleges in San Diego. One such program is their highly regarded nursing degree, which caters to those with experience or those willing to go through a transition program before starting coursework.
So if you love science and want to make a big difference by serving others as a nurse, Grossmont has got you covered. And since they take transfer students from other state schools as well as full-time adult learners, it won’t be hard to fit into their class schedule even if you already have college credits under your belt.
The Grossmont College tuition fee is $1,500 for in-state students and $4,300 for out-of-state students. The Grossmont College tuition fee does not include any additional fees that may be required for courses such as lab or field trips.There may also be additional costs associated with attending college such as room and board or transportation expenses. The total cost of attendance (COA) includes the direct costs of attending college including tuition, fees, books and supplies, but also the indirect costs like transportation or room and board.
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College is located in an urban area, which means it’s close to everything a student could need, from grocery stores to public transportation. All students are welcome, and there are even sports teams available for students to participate in during their free time. Students also rave about how affordable Mesa is; its tuition rates can’t be beat. It’s no wonder that so many people recommend it as one of their favorite schools.
Tuition fees at San Diego Mesa College are $1,890 per year for in-state students and $4,660 for out-of-state students.
The average net cost of books and supplies is estimated to be $1,830. The total net cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition and other expenses, minus any financial aid received) at San Diego Mesa College is $15,750 for an in-state student living on campus or $23,280 for an out-of-state student living on campus.
.Mesa College offers a variety of financial aid options for international students who want to study in the United States. International students may be eligible for federal loans such as Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans. The U.S. Department of Education also provides grants and scholarships based on family income and need, which can significantly reduce the net cost of college attendance.
Cuyamaca College
Cuyamaca College is a community college located in El Cajon, California. It is a part of the San Diego Community College District along with Grossmont College and Mesa College. Cuyamaca has two campuses: one that serves primarily as an administrative center and another that serves as a primary educational campus. Known for its access to professional instructors, small class sizes, exceptional transfer rates, and convenient locations.
Cuyamaca offers degrees through Associates’ Degrees (AA), Occupational Technology Certificate Programs (OTC), Certificates of Achievement (CA), student support services such as tutoring, financial aid assistance and preparation workshops. The current enrollment at Cuyamaca is approximately 11,000 students with 250 full-time faculty members serving them.
Cuyamaca College tuition fees are $46 per unit. An average undergraduate course load is 15 units, so annual tuition will be $690. The estimated living costs including rent and transportation come to approximately $11,065.
The school has an open admission policy, which means that any prospective student who has completed high school or attained a GED certificate may enroll in classes at the college. However, applicants must meet minimum requirements for admission into specific majors or programs of study at Cuyamaca College. The table below shows the minimum GPA and test score requirements for students applying to the school’s nursing programs, as well as other popular majors at this institution.
Mount Miguel University
Mount Miguel University is a public university located in San Diego, California. It offers professional degree programs at multiple campuses and online. MMIU is accredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Accreditation from WASC enables students to transfer credits to other colleges or universities. As a public university, MMIU is funded by local taxes and students have access to excellent sports facilities that help promote a healthy lifestyle as well as free parking on campus.
Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a private Christian college located in San Diego. Students at PLNU can choose from an array of undergraduate, graduate and associate degrees. For many students, Point Loma Nazarene University may be their first choice because it is located near downtown San Diego—students can take advantage of some amazing city colleges while still getting a great education. If you live near campus, though, you won’t have to worry about commuting.
PLNU has agreements with most nearby apartment complexes to provide reduced rent for students living on campus. Many students find that these perks make attending school at Point Loma Nazarene University one of their best college decisions yet!
Point Loma Nazarene University tuition fee per academic year is $34,950 for full-time undergraduates and $8,520 for part-time undergraduates. The estimated average loan debt per graduate is $20,716. The cost of living in San Diego is low compared to most other cities in the United States. The tuition fee has been increasing at an annual rate of 2% over the past five years.
The financial aid office at Point Loma Nazarene University offers grants and loans to eligible students who apply for financial aid before May 1st every year. The average amount of grant money awarded per student is $5,317 while the average amount of student loans awarded per student is $22,447.
Southwestern College
Southwestern College is a community college located in downtown San Diego. It’s been offering a variety of programs since 1933, and has more than 20,000 students enrolled each year. Students can choose from a wide range of programs including arts and sciences, public safety, health sciences and business administration.
The school is located near multiple modes of transportation including buses and trolleys, making it easy for students to commute to class. Southwestern College is an ideal choice for students who want to save money on tuition while still getting an excellent education. The campus facilities are modern with many resources available including student tutoring centers and computer labs.
Southwestern College tuition fee is the second most affordable college in San Diego, with an average per-credit cost of $79.00. With an average net price of $7,859, this college is a good option for students who want to earn a degree at a reasonable price.
The school has an open admissions policy, so any student with a high school diploma or GED certificate can enroll in classes for free.
San Diego City College
One of California’s oldest community colleges, San Diego City College offers over 100 associate degree programs and enrolls over 3000 students each year. The college has been a historic contributor to vocational training; in fact, it was founded specifically to offer practical education for employment as well as to provide access to higher education.
In keeping with its mission, San Diego City College is highly focused on career readiness—for example, one of their most popular degree programs is Social Services Aide & Home Health Aide; these two related associate degrees prepare students for high-demand fields that will make them an important part of local communities. Also impressive: almost 100% of graduates are either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
The San Diego City College tuition fee for full-time students is $46 per unit for California residents, $132 per unit for out-of-state students and $156 per unit for international students.
Students who are interested in attending San Diego City College can apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Financial aid options include grants, scholarships, work study programs, student loans and more.
Tips To Excell At A Community College
Going to a community college can be a great way to save money and earn a degree. However, if you’re not careful, you can end up wasting your time and money. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your community college experience:
1. Ask Lots of Questions
The biggest mistake people make when attending community college is that they don’t ask questions about their classes or about the major they’re pursuing. They often think that asking questions shows weakness or a lack of knowledge, but it’s actually one of the best ways to learn new things and understand what’s going on in class. If you don’t understand something in class, ask your professor or TA (teaching assistant) for help. It’s much better to ask questions than to sit in silence and wonder what’s going on!
2. Take notes in class
If you’ve gone to school in the past, chances are you’ve heard the advice before. But it’s still worth repeating because it works! Taking notes during lectures helps you remember what was said and gives you something to refer back to if you have questions later on. Plus, most teachers will emphasize key points that they want students to remember and write them down directly on their slides or on paper. You can then read over your notes later and make sure that what was said matches up with what was written down.
3. Connect with professors outside of class time.
Professors often have office hours where students can go talk about any questions, concerns, or problems that they may have with their coursework. If you don’t have an office hour scheduled with your professor, try emailing them instead. You might be able to ask them questions directly through email or get advice on how to approach a topic when writing an essay or exam.
4. Join clubs and organizations on campus.
These groups will give you a chance to meet new people and build relationships off-campus as well as on-campus. Many clubs hold social events and parties throughout the year, so this is a great way to make friends!
5. Attend extra credit events
While you might be tempted to spend your time socializing or working, don’t forget about your studies. Community colleges often offer opportunities for students to earn extra credit by attending lectures and other special events on campus. The more classes you take and the more involved you become in school activities, the better your chances of graduating on time with a good grade point average.
