MiraCosta College vs. Monterey Peninsula College

Comparable Facts

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

MiraCosta College is larger than Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (11,478 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting); Monterey Peninsula College is in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: MiraCosta College 18:1; Monterey Peninsula College 23:1.

MiraCosta College vs. Monterey Peninsula College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MiraCosta College or Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College ($9,044 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at MiraCosta College are 2.2% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($34,328 vs. $35,118).
• Monterey Peninsula College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $30 more per year; $1,188.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College than at MiraCosta College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students is 1.5% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($5,088 vs. $5,013).

MiraCosta College vs. Monterey Peninsula College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MiraCosta College or Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College and MiraCosta College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MiraCosta College - Open admission; Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

MiraCosta College vs. Monterey Peninsula College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MiraCosta College and Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More MiraCosta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 31%)

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.