Orange Coast College vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

Compare Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA with Norco College in Norco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Orange Coast College is larger than Norco College based on total student enrollment (17,096 students vs. 11,351 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Orange Coast College is located in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Orange Coast College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Orange Coast College 27:1; Norco College 29:1.

Orange Coast College vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Orange Coast College or Norco 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 Norco College than Orange Coast College ($8,534 vs. $9,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orange Coast College are 28.4% lower than at Norco College ($19,159 vs. $26,740).
• Norco College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Orange Coast College (about $36 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Norco College than at Orange Coast College (about $858 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norco College than at Orange Coast College (81% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Orange Coast College students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Norco College students ($5,493 vs. $5,343).

Orange Coast College vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Orange Coast College or Norco College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Norco College and Orange Coast College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Orange Coast College - Open admission; Norco College - Open admission.

Orange Coast College vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Orange Coast College and Norco College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Orange Coast College have median earnings of about $42,200 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Norco College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orange Coast College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Norco College graduates ($6,500 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Orange Coast College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Norco College graduates ($67 vs. $82).
• More Orange Coast College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Norco College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 41%)

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.