MiraCosta College

One Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
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Tel: (760) 757-2121
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  • 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 14,687 students (34% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 41:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 68%.
MiraCosta College is one of 18 community colleges within San Diego County, CA.
The nearest community college to MiraCosta College is Golf Academy of America-Carlsbad (5.5 miles away).

Top Placements

MiraCosta College places among the top 20% of community colleges in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 360 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
MiraCosta College(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate / Associates CollegesBaccalaureate / Associates Colleges
Institution LevelLess than 2 yrsAt least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution ControlPublicPublic
Total Faculty360 staff97 staff
This chart display total faculty of MiraCosta College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of MiraCosta College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 41:1 has decreased from 44:1 over five years.
The MiraCosta College diversity score of 0.67 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment14,687 students7,516 students
This chart display the total enrollment of MiraCosta College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio41:144:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of MiraCosta College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
# Full-Time Students5,024 students1,613 students
This chart display the total number of Full-Time students enrollment of MiraCosta College and average number of community college Full-Time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
# Part-Time Students9,663 students5,903 students
This chart display the total number of Part-Time students enrollment of MiraCosta College and average number of community college Part-Time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
This chart display the Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of MiraCosta College. This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
-
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Asian
7%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Hispanic
29%
37%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Black
4%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% White
48%
32%
This chart display the percentage of White students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Hawaiian
1%
-
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Two or more races
6%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Non Resident races
2%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in MiraCosta College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in MiraCosta College. This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.670.73
This chart display the diversity score of MiraCosta College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
College Completion Rate
32%
29%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of MiraCosta College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)$31,100$34,600
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of MiraCosta College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Finances and Admission

The public in-state tuition of $1,152 is less than the state average of $1,636. The in-state tuition has grown by 26% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,784 is less than the state average of $6,797. The out-state tuition has grown by 8% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees$1,152$1,636
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of MiraCosta College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees$5,784$6,797
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of MiraCosta College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid49%78%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in MiraCosta College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates$4,500$9,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in MiraCosta College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts$4,500$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in MiraCosta College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS

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.

Nearby Schools

The nearest community college to MiraCosta College is Golf Academy of America-Carlsbad (5.5 miles away).
  • College Location Mi. Students
  • Golf Academy of America-Carlsbad
    Private, for profit
    168 students | 5.50 Mi1950 Camino Vida Roble, Ste. 125
    Carlsbad,  CA  92008
    (800) 342-7342     5.50168
  • Palomar College
    Palomar College Photo - Palomar College Dome
    Public
    24,914 students | 7.60 Mi1140 W. Mission
    San Marcos,  CA  92069
    (760) 744-1150     7.6024,914
  • San Diego Miramar College
    Public
    11,876 students | 22.50 Mi10440 Black Mountain Rd
    San Diego,  CA  92126
    (619) 388-7800     22.5011,876
  • Professional Golfers Career College
    Private, for profit
    248 students | 23.90 Mi26109 Ynez Road
    Temecula,  CA  92591
    (800) 877-4380     23.90248
  • Coleman University
    Private, non-profit
    796 students | 27.80 Mi8888 Balboa Ave
    San Diego,  CA  92123
    (858) 499-0202     27.80796
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Quick Stats (2021)
  • Students: 14,687 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,152
  • Out-state tuition: $5,784
  • Student:teacher ratio: 41:1
  • Minority enrollment: 52%
Did You Know?
For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,636 per year for in-state students and $6,797 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,157 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 86%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.73, which is higher than the national average of 0.65. The most diverse community college in California is Coastline Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.
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