MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
MiraCosta College at a Glance
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.
1934
92 years old
17,252
700
121 acres
Identity
Is MiraCosta College Worth It?
MiraCosta College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $7,339/year, it's priced 64% below average, while graduates go on to earn $43,845 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How MiraCosta College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #34 of 216 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #34 | MiraCosta College | 61 | $7,339 | $43,845 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of MiraCosta College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in CA.
Best Programs at MiraCosta College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for MiraCosta College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,339/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Oceanside, CA
- Student Body
- 10,278 students
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,339
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,845
- Median Student Debt
- $9,000