Cabrillo College vs. MiraCosta College

Comparable Facts

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

MiraCosta College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (11,478 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); MiraCosta College is in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; MiraCosta College 18:1.

Cabrillo College vs. MiraCosta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College ($9,044 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cabrillo College are 26.4% lower than at MiraCosta College ($25,281 vs. $34,328).
• Cabrillo College is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $112 more per year; $1,270.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Cabrillo College than at MiraCosta College (about $112 more per year; $9,862.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at MiraCosta College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cabrillo College students is 11.7% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($5,600 vs. $5,013).

Cabrillo College vs. MiraCosta College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; MiraCosta College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. MiraCosta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More MiraCosta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cabrillo College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 40%)

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.