Pierce College vs. MiraCosta College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA with MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Los Angeles Pierce College is larger than MiraCosta College based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 11,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting); MiraCosta College is in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1; MiraCosta College 18:1.

Pierce College vs. MiraCosta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pierce 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 Pierce College ($9,044 vs. $14,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Pierce College are 26% lower than at MiraCosta College ($25,407 vs. $34,328).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $80 more per year; $1,238.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Pierce College than at MiraCosta College (about $822 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at MiraCosta College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($6,398 vs. $5,013).

Pierce College vs. MiraCosta College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pierce College - Open admission; MiraCosta College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Pierce College vs. MiraCosta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pierce 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 Los Angeles Pierce College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 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 Pierce College graduates ($4,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pierce College graduates ($46 vs. $108).
• More MiraCosta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pierce College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 33%)

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.