MiraCosta College vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than MiraCosta College based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 11,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: MiraCosta College 18:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

MiraCosta College vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MiraCosta College or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State ($9,044 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego State University are 32.9% lower than at MiraCosta College ($23,030 vs. $34,328).
• San Diego State University is 653.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $7,570 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.7% higher at San Diego State than at MiraCosta College (about $11,578 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at MiraCosta College than at San Diego State University (81% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 140.4% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($12,053 vs. $5,013).

MiraCosta College vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MiraCosta College or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and MiraCosta College.

• MiraCosta College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MiraCosta College - Open admission; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.

MiraCosta College vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MiraCosta College and San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $10,849 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($4,500 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($46 vs. $158).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MiraCosta College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 46%)

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.