MiraCosta College, one of California's comprehensive, public two-year community colleges, has served the coastal area of North San Diego County for 75 years. Recognizing that individuals and domestic and international communities are diverse and changing, the college is committed to offering a variety of programs and services in Transfer Education, Vocational Education, General Education, Basic Skills Education, Community Education and Support Services.
School Highlights
MiraCosta College serves 12,645 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is lower than the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.
Quick Stats (2023)
Enrollment: 12,645 students
In-state tuition: $1,152
Out-state tuition: $5,784
Student:teacher ratio: 19:1
Minority enrollment: 59%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The teacher population of 649 teachers has grown by 80% over five years.
MiraCosta College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
649 staff
308 staff
Student Body
The student population of MiraCosta College has declined by 13% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 has decreased from 20:1 over five years.
The MiraCosta College diversity score of 0.68 is less than the state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
12,645 students
7,899 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
4,674 students
1,660 students
# Part-Time Students
7,971 students
6,239 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
104 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
4,674 students
1,580 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
7,971 students
6,239 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
6%
14%
% Hispanic
38%
45%
% Black
3%
5%
% White
41%
26%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
4%
% Non Resident races
2%
3%
% Unknown races
2%
3%
Diversity Score
0.68
0.70
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
32%
28%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
8.41%
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$31,100
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,152 is less than the state average of $1,246. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,784 is less than the state average of $6,603. The out-state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,152
$1,246
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,784
$6,603
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
77%
86%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,000
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$8,500
$6,239
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
MiraCosta College is a public California community college serving
coastal North San Diego County. The college was founded in 1934 as
Oceanside-Carlsbad Junior College, the second community college in
San Diego County. Changed name to MiraCosta College and moved to
Barnard Drive location in 1964. Student Resources includes library
and information hubs at both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses;
More than 1,000 networked computers for student use; Wellness
Center at the Oceanside Campus; free tutoring in nearly every
subject; more than 1,000 students participate in Service Learning
projects related to class curricula; Honors Scholars Program and
active national honor society. MiraCosta's Adult Learning Center
opened in 1992 at a newly remodeled site on Horne Street. The
center relocated to its current Mission Avenue location in 2000 and
was renamed the Community Learning Center. Over the years the
center has expanded its adult education offerings to include
parenting classes, workshops for older adults, and programs for
those who are physically and mentally challenged. The Cisco
Academy, which offers training in computer networking, is also
housed at the center. The college's Small Business Development
Center is right next door. The college is accredited by the
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
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For San Diego County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,283 per year for in-state students and $6,392 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
