MiraCosta College vs. San Diego State
MiraCosta College and San Diego State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
MiraCosta College
San Diego State University
At a glance
- Cheaper after aid: MiraCosta College. Average net price is $9,044 vs $14,704 at San Diego State.
- Earnings 10 years out: MiraCosta College $33,000 vs San Diego State $53,400 (median).
Acceptance rate
San Diego State more selective
MiraCosta College-
San Diego State36.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
San Diego State higher
MiraCosta College-
San Diego State1090-1300
Average net price
MiraCosta College $5,660 less
MiraCosta College$9,044
San Diego State$14,704
In-state tuition
MiraCosta College $7,570 less
MiraCosta College$1,158
San Diego State$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
MiraCosta College $11,578 less
MiraCosta College$9,750
San Diego State$21,328
Graduation rate
San Diego State +66 pts
MiraCosta College-
San Diego State66%
Median earnings (10 years)
San Diego State +$20,400
MiraCosta College$33,000
San Diego State$53,400
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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MiraCosta College My Chances
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San Diego State My Chances
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- Applied
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MiraCosta College -
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San Diego State 89,972
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- Admitted
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MiraCosta College -
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San Diego State 32,561
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- Acceptance rate
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MiraCosta College Open
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San Diego State 36.2%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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MiraCosta College Open
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San Diego State 20.4%
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- Typical SAT score
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State 1200
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- Typical ACT score
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State 25
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- Average high school GPA
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MiraCosta College -
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San Diego State 3.82
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- Typical high school grades
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MiraCosta College -
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San Diego State A-
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- Admissions standards
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MiraCosta College Unavailable
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San Diego State Challenging
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- Applicant competition
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State High
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- SAT range
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State 1090-1300
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- ACT range
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State 22-29
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- Submit test scores
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MiraCosta College Open admission
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San Diego State Test-free
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- Application deadline
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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MiraCosta College $1,158
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San Diego State $8,728
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- Tuition (out of state)
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MiraCosta College $9,750
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San Diego State $21,328
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- Room & board
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MiraCosta College $34,328
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San Diego State $23,030
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- Average net price
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MiraCosta College $9,044
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San Diego State $14,704
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- Average grant aid
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MiraCosta College $5,013
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San Diego State $12,053
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- % receiving grant aid
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MiraCosta College 81%
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San Diego State 47%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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MiraCosta College -
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San Diego State 66%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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MiraCosta College $33,000
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San Diego State $53,400
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- Making student loan payments
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MiraCosta College 46%
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San Diego State 65%
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- Median student loan debt
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MiraCosta College $4,500
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San Diego State $15,349
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- Median loan payment
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MiraCosta College $46
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San Diego State $158
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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MiraCosta College 18:1
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San Diego State 27:1
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- Popular majors
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MiraCosta College
- Liberal Arts and Humanities (36%)
- Business (18%)
- Health Professions (16%)
- Work and Family Studies (6%)
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies (4%)
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San Diego State
- Business (23%)
- Social Sciences (13%)
- Psychology (8%)
- English and Literature (7%)
- Health Professions (7%)
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School basics
- School
- MiraCosta College MiraCosta College
- San Diego State San Diego State University
- Location
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MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA
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San Diego State San Diego, CA
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- Setting
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MiraCosta College Large Suburban
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San Diego State Large City
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- Total enrollment
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MiraCosta College 11,478
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San Diego State 41,137
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- Type
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MiraCosta College Public 2 Year
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San Diego State Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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MiraCosta College
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San Diego State #353
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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 tables 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.
Cost details
- 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).
- Out-of-state tuition is 118.7% higher at San Diego State than at MiraCosta College (about $11,578 more per year; $21,328 vs. $9,750).
- 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).
Admissions details
- SAT or ACT scores are open admission at MiraCosta College, test-free at San Diego State.
- Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
Loans and repayment
- 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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