MiraCosta College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

MiraCosta College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (11,478 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: MiraCosta College 18:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

MiraCosta College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MiraCosta College or Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College ($9,044 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 35.7% lower than at MiraCosta College ($22,086 vs. $34,328).
• Smith Chason College is 1,544.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $17,882 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.3% higher at Smith Chason College than at MiraCosta College (about $9,290 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at MiraCosta College than at Smith Chason College (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 34.3% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($6,731 vs. $5,013).

MiraCosta College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MiraCosta College or Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason 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; Smith Chason College - Open admission.

MiraCosta College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MiraCosta College and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($4,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($46 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MiraCosta College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.