Orange Coast College
About Orange Coast College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and one of the few community colleges in California with dormitories. It keeps a sailing center on the harbour and teaches business, psychology and the sciences to most of its students.
Founded
1947
Location
Costa Mesa, California
Students
16,091
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
47.6%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,392
Out-of-state: $11,640
Avg Net Price
$7,203
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$47,348
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
47.6% complete their degree within three years
Retention
73.8%
Transfer Out
13%
Teaching Quality
26:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
33.2%
$/Student
$5.8K
Class Size
Large
While 47.6% finish in 4 years, 73.8% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,392
In-State
$11,640
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,159
Books & Supplies
$1,465
Total Cost of Attendance
$15,561
After Financial Aid
$7,203
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$5,562
Receive Grants
24.4%
Take Loans
2.1%
The total cost of attendance runs about $15,561/yr, including $19,159 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $7,203.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Orange Coast College fund their education.
While in School
24.4%
Get Grants
Free money
2.1%
Take Loans
Must repay
$17,827
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$9,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$101/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $9,500, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Orange Coast College.
Gender
50.2%
Female
50%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
16,091
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
50.5%
First-Gen
22 yrs
Avg Age
25.5%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (50% women, 50% men). 50.5% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
16,091
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Orange Coast College fields 14 varsity teams with 681 student athletes, about 4% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
14
Biggest: Rowing
Student Athletes
681
4% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
63% / 37%
426
Men
255
Women
12
Men's Teams
12
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Orange Coast Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$47,348
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$24K
400 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$60K
320 grads
4yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$40K
190 grads
4yr Earnings
Biological and Physical Sciences
$42K
148 grads
4yr Earnings
Computer Programming
—
126 grads
Communication and Media Studies
$54K
109 grads
4yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $36K six years out, growing to $47K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Orange Coast College
How much does Orange Coast College cost?▾
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.