Highest earnings after college
Median earnings ten years after starting.
- 1University of San Diego$86,522
- 2University of California-San Diego$84,943
- 3National University$67,548
- 4San Diego State University$64,909
- 5Point Loma Nazarene University$63,998
College & student life
College guide to La Mesa
La Mesa college guide: San Diego State University, National University, Ashford University and more, with rankings, campus events, game days and study spots.
Colleges near La Mesa
Pick a campus for its live schedule, game days and the best spots nearby.
3 mi awayPublic university · Since 1897San Diego State University20,000+ students$15,364 net price · 76% graduate
NU7 mi away
Private university · Since 1971National University20,000+ students$22,878 net price · 43% graduate
8 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1918Ashford University20,000+ students$31,266 net price · 11% graduate
9 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1961Southwestern College20,000+ students$12,671 net price · 36% graduate
15 mi awayPublic university · Since 1960University of California-San Diego20,000+ students$12,470 net price · 86% graduate
3 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1961Grossmont College10,000–19,999 students$5,311 net price · 37% graduate
8 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1914San Diego City College10,000–19,999 students$7,935 net price · 30% graduate
9 mi awayPublic college · Since 1963San Diego Mesa College10,000–19,999 students$5,814 net price · 35% graduate
SDM11 mi away
Community college · Since 1969San Diego Miramar College10,000–19,999 students$3,337 net price · 49% graduate
5 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1978Cuyamaca College5,000–9,999 students$6,618 net price · 41% graduate
NU7 mi away
Private university · Since 1996Northcentral University5,000–9,999 students
10 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1949University of San Diego5,000–9,999 students$30,365 net price · 84% graduate
14 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1902Point Loma Nazarene University1,000–4,999 students$38,729 net price · 77% graduate
SDC6 mi away
Private college · Since 1970San Diego Christian CollegeUnder 1,000 students$992 net price · 20% graduate
SCS7 mi away
Private collegeSouthern California SeminaryUnder 1,000 students50% graduate
9 mi awayPrivate college · Since 1969Thomas Jefferson School of LawUnder 1,000 students
IC9 mi away
Two-year collegeICOHS CollegeUnder 1,000 students$99,682 net price · 81% graduate
CWS9 mi away
Private college · Since 1924California Western School of LawUnder 1,000 students
CSS9 mi away
Private collegeThe Chicago School at San DiegoUnder 1,000 students
FST10 mi away
Private college · Since 1854Franciscan School of TheologyUnder 1,000 students
College list from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS directory (NCES).
Campus in pictures near La Mesa
Quads, libraries, stadiums and halls at the colleges in this guide. Tap a photo for the college page.
San Diego State University
University of California-San Diego
Grossmont College
San Diego City College
University of San Diego
San Diego State University
University of California-San Diego
Grossmont College
University of San Diego
San Diego State University
University of California-San Diego
Grossmont College
University of San DiegoGames and campus events near La Mesa
The next seven days at every college in this guide, updated daily from their own calendars.
How colleges near La Mesa compare
Ranked on official College Scorecard figures: what graduates earn, what students pay after aid, and how many finish.
Best value
Median earnings per dollar of the average yearly net price.
- 1San Diego Christian College50.2× net price
- 2San Diego Miramar College14.5× net price
- 3San Diego Mesa College7.8× net price
- 4Grossmont College7.6× net price
- 5University of California-San Diego6.8× net price
Most affordable
Average yearly net price after grants and scholarships.
- 1San Diego Christian College$992
- 2San Diego Miramar College$3,337
- 3Grossmont College$5,311
- 4San Diego Mesa College$5,814
- 5Cuyamaca College$6,618
Highest graduation rates
Share of full-time students who finish within 150% of normal time.
Most selective
Lowest admission rates.
- 1University of California-San Diego27% admitted
- 2San Diego Christian College31% admitted
- 3San Diego State University36% admitted
- 4University of San Diego52% admitted
- 5Point Loma Nazarene University84% admitted
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A college appears in a list only when the Department reports that figure for it; graduation rates compare four-year colleges.
Compare colleges near La Mesa side by side
Size, cost after aid, graduation and earnings for every college in this guide. Tap a column to sort.
| College | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State UniversityPublic university | 3 mi | 35,377 | $15,364 | 36% | 76% | $64,909 |
| National UniversityPrivate university | 7 mi | 10,794 | $22,878 | Open | 43% | $67,548 |
| Ashford UniversityPrivate university | 8 mi | 20,152 | $31,266 | Open | 11% | $35,404 |
| Southwestern CollegeCommunity college | 9 mi | 18,614 | $12,671 | Open | 36% | $40,060 |
| University of California-San DiegoPublic university | 15 mi | 34,948 | $12,470 | 27% | 86% | $84,943 |
| Grossmont CollegeCommunity college | 3 mi | 12,163 | $5,311 | Open | 37% | $40,309 |
| San Diego City CollegeCommunity college | 8 mi | 10,441 | $7,935 | Open | 30% | $38,503 |
| San Diego Mesa CollegePublic college | 9 mi | 16,098 | $5,814 | Open | 35% | $45,120 |
| San Diego Miramar CollegeCommunity college | 11 mi | 11,271 | $3,337 | Open | 49% | $48,224 |
| Cuyamaca CollegeCommunity college | 5 mi | 7,177 | $6,618 | Open | 41% | $32,435 |
| Northcentral UniversityPrivate university | 7 mi | 60 | – | – | – | $48,414 |
| University of San DiegoPrivate university | 10 mi | 5,671 | $30,365 | 52% | 84% | $86,522 |
| Point Loma Nazarene UniversityPrivate university | 14 mi | 3,188 | $38,729 | 84% | 77% | $63,998 |
| San Diego Christian CollegePrivate college | 6 mi | 87 | $992 | 31% | 20% | $49,766 |
| Southern California SeminaryPrivate college | 7 mi | 32 | – | Open | 50% | $39,607 |
| Thomas Jefferson School of LawPrivate college | 9 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
| ICOHS CollegeTwo-year college | 9 mi | 171 | $99,682 | Open | 81% | – |
| California Western School of LawPrivate college | 9 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
| The Chicago School at San DiegoPrivate college | 9 mi | 2 | – | – | – | $56,899 |
| Franciscan School of TheologyPrivate college | 10 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A dash means the Department doesn't report that figure for the college.
Coffee and study spots
Local cafés and tea rooms for long afternoons with a laptop.
TA
The AubreyRose Tea Room
Tea roomGK
J-K's Greek Cafe
CafePC
Patty's Cafe
CafeMC
Momentos Cafe
CafeMC
Marathon Coffee
Coffee shopBC
Brew Coffee Spot
Coffee shopSC
LC
Lightbulb Coffee La Mesa
Coffee shopPR
Pink Rose Cafe
CafeOpen late
Kitchens and bars serving past 10 p.m.
TH
The Hills Pub
RestaurantHC
Himalayan Cuisine
RestaurantHH
Hearth House
RestaurantBS
Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill
Sushi restaurantDP
Deano's Pub
RestaurantRS
Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room
RestaurantWC
West Coast Smoke and Tap House
RestaurantHC
Hacienda Cazadores
RestaurantMore to do in La Mesa
Concerts, markets, free events and game days, updated every day.