MiraCosta College vs. West Los Angeles College

Comparable Facts

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

MiraCosta College is larger than West Los Angeles College based on total student enrollment (11,478 students vs. 9,255 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting); West Los Angeles College is in Culver City, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Los Angeles College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: MiraCosta College 18:1; West Los Angeles College 26:1.

MiraCosta College vs. West Los Angeles College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MiraCosta College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College ($9,044 vs. $11,164).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Los Angeles College are 26% lower than at MiraCosta College ($25,407 vs. $34,328).
• West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College than at MiraCosta College (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Los Angeles College students is 16.8% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($5,857 vs. $5,013).

MiraCosta College vs. West Los Angeles College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MiraCosta College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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; West Los Angeles College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Los Angeles College Jun 1, 2027.

MiraCosta College vs. West Los Angeles College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MiraCosta College and West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than West Los Angeles College graduates ($4,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Los Angeles College graduates ($46 vs. $98).
• More MiraCosta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Los Angeles College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 26%)

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.