About MiraCosta College
YOU GOT THIS!
MiraCosta College faculty and staff welcome you. Professionals in their field and subject area experts in their discipline, faculty have a passion for teaching. At MiraCosta, faculty and staff work alongside students to ensure their success.
By the Numbers... but who's counting?
For many students, MiraCosta College is one step in their higher educational journey. By completing general education requirements at MiraCosta and transferring, students save money and time, all while sharpening their skills.
How much does it cost to attend?
If you’re looking for high-quality education at a price that works,
you’ve found the right place.
- Locals save!$46Enrollment Fee for California Residents: $46 unit
- What is cost for Nonresidents?$231Enrollment Fee for Nonresidents: $231 unit
- We've got scholarships!275+Over 275 students received a scholarship from MiraCosta College in 2020/21
- Free college?Attend for FreeAll first-time, full-time students attend MiraCosta tuition free for two years
- Save on Textbook CostsZero & Low Cost TextbooksMany course sections use free or low costs textbooks to save students money
- Grants—did you know?GrantsQualify for one of many grants that can support living and educational expenses
- Financial Aid available8+ Types of AidMiraCosta College offers over eight types of financial aid to support your journey
- Earn credit while in High SchoolHigh school students Dually enrolled high school students attend MiraCosta College tuition free
Locations across North San Diego County
Location & Area Information
The MiraCosta Community College District is located in San Diego County along the Southern California coast, between Orange County to the north (95 miles) and the metropolitan area of San Diego to the south (35 miles). The District includes the cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Del Mar, the unincorporated areas of La Costa, Olivenhain, and portions of Carmel Valley and Camp Pendleton Marine Base.
North San Diego County is nationally known for its exceptional K-12 schools and the plethora of superb higher education choices. Local colleges and universities include Cal State San Marcos, National University, Palomar College, San Diego State University, UCSD and University of San Diego, among others.
The San Diego Tourism Authority website describes San Diego's North County as a vast, expansive region known for its pristine beaches, natural preserves, and miles of open spaces. From Del Mar to Oceanside, the North County coastline is a string of unique picturesque seaside villages that have a small-town feel.
If you're looking for opportunities for outdoor activities in San Diego, the north region has plenty. From hiking and horseback riding in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking in Carlsbad Lagoon, to biking along historic Highway 101, or sport fishing, whale watching or surfing the coastline from La Jolla through Oceanside, outdoor enthusiasts are sure to be entertained. San Diego's north coastal town of Encinitas was recently named among the best surf towns in the world by National Geographic.
The North County Coastal region is home to some of San Diego's top attractions, including LEGOLAND California, Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Water Park, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad, and the Del Mar Fairgrounds, host to the Del Mar Fair from mid-June to early July, followed by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Races until early September. There's also the San Diego Botanic Garden for a look at San Diego native flora and fauna, and at the Eastern border of North County, you'll also find the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Las Vegas-style Indian casino gaming and a handful of great wineries and local breweries. Art enthusiasts will love the Oceanside Museum of Art and the LUX Art Institute.
San Diego's North County coastal and inland regions are also a paradise for golfers, with over 40 diverse courses to choose from. Graced by cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean, the Arnold Palmer-designed Park Hyatt Aviara and Tom Fazio-designed Grand Del Mar golf courses are uniquely sculpted around the natural landscapes and native vegetation.
San Diego's north region puts you just an hour from Disneyland yet still close to downtown San Diego where the museums of Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter and SeaWorld San Diego are nearby.
North San Diego County is home to eight of the county’s fastest growing cities, businesses and families are drawn to North County’s sunny inland valleys and scenic coastal communities. Additional information about the business environment can be found on the San Diego North Economic Development Council website or on the Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, or San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce websites.
MiraCosta College offers students stunning views and unique architecture. Take a virtual tour of our campuses or request to take a tour in person.
MiraCosta’s Community Learning Center, located one mile east of I-5 in Oceanside, hosts a wide variety of noncredit courses at more than 30 District locations. The CLC offers courses in each of the following authorized noncredit categories: elementary and secondary basic skills, Adult High School Diploma program, English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship, health and safety, older adults, parenting, special education for adults, and short-term vocational. In addition to the vast learning opportunities, the CLC also provides holistic support to students ranging from financial aid and academic counseling to a food pantry and lounge where students can relax and unwind.
The Oceanside Campus has grown and changed during the decades and plans for continued growth. The campus includes a concert hall and three creative arts buildings with classrooms, labs, studios, and rehearsal/performance spaces for music and art; a student services building that houses Counseling and the Transfer and Career Centers; an international sports field; and a new, high-tech science building.
MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus opened in 1988 and is situated on 42 acres facing
the San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff. The campus offers a general education credit program
and a broad range of noncredit, fee-based Community Service classes and workshops.
Student services at the San Elijo Campus include Admissions and Records, Counseling,
Tutoring, Testing, and Student Life and Leadership. The recently expanded and remodeled
Student Center houses the campus bookstore, cafeteria, Student Services Office, and
The Library and Information Hub houses computer labs, as well as the campus math and
writing centers. Students may schedule appointments for financial aid, accessibility
assistance for students with disabilities, job placement, Transfer Center counseling,
and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS).
MiraCosta’s Technology Career Institute, which opened in March 2015, trains skilled
workers for such industries as high-tech manufacturing, maritime technology, and biotech
manufacturing. The institute expands the college’s machinist certificate program and
creates industry-recognized electronics engineering technician and robotics/automation
certificate programs. These noncredit programs are run by the college's Community
Education and Workforce Development Department.
The North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by MiraCosta
College and located at the Technology Career Institute, is a partnership program with
the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s
Office. The SBDC provides services to meet the needs of entrepreneurs throughout North
San Diego County. These services are free or inexpensive and include one-on-one counseling
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