Academic Comparison between San Diego Mesa and LCAD

San Diego Mesa College and Laguna College of Art and Design are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. San Diego Mesa is a four-year, public school located in San Diego, CA and LCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Laguna Beach, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • San Diego Mesa is a public and LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • LCAD has more expensive tuition & fees ($37,500) than San Diego Mesa ($10,002).
  • San Diego Mesa has more students with 19,212 students while LCAD has 775 students.
  • LCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while San Diego Mesa's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • San Diego Mesa has more full-time faculties with 297 faculties while LCAD has 24 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

San Diego Mesa Collegevs.Laguna College of Art and Design
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationLaguna Beach, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Associate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate'sCarnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$1,146
Out-Of-State$10,002
2025 Tuition & Fees$37,500
54%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$4,608Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,292
-Acceptance Rates94.32 %
-Yield (Enrollment Rates)23.09 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
35 %Graduation Rate52 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate-
-Retention Rate84 %
19,212Student Population775
297Number of Faculties24
23 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services