Bakersfield College vs. MiraCosta College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than MiraCosta College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 11,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); MiraCosta College is in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; MiraCosta College 18:1.

Bakersfield College vs. MiraCosta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or MiraCosta College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at MiraCosta College than Bakersfield College ($9,044 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bakersfield College are 29.5% lower than at MiraCosta College ($24,192 vs. $34,328).
• Bakersfield College is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $272 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Bakersfield College than at MiraCosta College (about $1,550 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bakersfield College than at MiraCosta College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bakersfield College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($5,940 vs. $5,013).

Bakersfield College vs. MiraCosta College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or MiraCosta College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MiraCosta College and Bakersfield College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; MiraCosta College - Open admission.

Bakersfield College vs. MiraCosta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and MiraCosta College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Bakersfield College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $4,455 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($46 vs. $92).
• More MiraCosta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.