MiraCosta College
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 10,278 students.
About This School
MiraCosta College is a public institution located in Oceanside, California with approximately 10,278 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $7,339 per year. The graduation rate is 41%, and the typical graduate earns $34,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
MiraCosta College is a public community college serving coastal Northern San Diego County in California with two campuses, one in eastern Oceanside and the other in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and many satellite locations, including the Community Learning Center in western Oceanside.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 86% freshman retention rate suggests students generally feel supported once they arrive, but a 41% graduation rate means many don't finish — worth asking about before enrolling. On the financial side, MiraCosta is genuinely affordable, with median debt of just $9,000, though median earnings of $34,300 a decade out are modest, so the payoff depends heavily on whether you transfer to a four-year school or pursue a high-demand career pathway. This is a strong option for students with a clear transfer plan to a UC or CSU, or those seeking affordable career training in coastal San Diego County — less so if you're hoping the degree alone will drive strong earnings.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (10,278 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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