Saddleback College
About Saddleback College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Saddleback College teaches in Mission Viejo, in the south of Orange County, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Business, allied health and psychology are its largest programs, and most of its students are working toward a transfer.
Founded
1968
Location
Mission Viejo, California
Students
17,684
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
48%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,156
Out-of-state: $11,860
Avg Net Price
$4,152
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$50,874
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
48% complete their degree within three years
Retention
77.1%
Transfer Out
12%
Teaching Quality
26:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
26.6%
$/Student
$7.1K
Class Size
Large
While 48% finish in 4 years, 77.1% 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
$1,156
In-State
$11,860
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Total Cost of Attendance
$13,939
After Financial Aid
$4,152
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$2,596
Receive Grants
15.2%
Take Loans
1.3%
Tuition is $1,156/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $4,152.
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 Saddleback College fund their education.
While in School
15.2%
Get Grants
Free money
1.3%
Take Loans
Must repay
$19,305
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 Saddleback College.
Gender
54.6%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
17,684
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
41.2%
First-Gen
25 yrs
Avg Age
31.5%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (55% women, 45% men). 41.2% 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
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
17,684
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Saddleback College fields 12 varsity teams with 374 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
374
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
67% / 33%
249
Men
125
Women
9
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Saddleback Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$50,874
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$17K
2882 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
—
371 grads
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
—
204 grads
Psychology, General
—
176 grads
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
172 grads
Economics
—
111 grads
Graduates earn about $37K six years out, growing to $51K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saddleback College
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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.