Orange Coast College Demographics & Diversity

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  • Costa Mesa, CA
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 72%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Orange Coast College are predominantly White with a significant Hispanic population. The school has very high racial diversity. 66% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Orange Coast College has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is eligible for federal grants supporting the school's efforts to serve Hispanic Americans.

The college is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized for serving Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Racial demographics of Orange Coast College students
Race Percent of Students
White
34%
Black
2%
Hispanic
33%
Asian
20%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
International
5%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 2% more female students than male students enrolled at Orange Coast College with a gender ratio of 51% women to 49% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Orange Coast College has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Orange Coast College students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
49%
Women
51%
Enrollment by gender for Orange Coast College students
Gender Number of Students
Men
8,458
Women
8,638

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 9%

Orange Coast College draws 91 percent of students from California, 3 percent from other states, and 6 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside California, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Orange Coast College students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
91%
Out of State
3%
Foreign
6%
Unknown Location
1%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$74,581 per year

38% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

17,096
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 29.1%
Part-time undergraduates 58.6%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Orange Coast College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=120342.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026