Colleges in Costa Mesa, California
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Costa Mesa, California (2 Private nonprofit, 2 Private for-profit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $21,581 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 59.6%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 59% of applicants.
The median net price in Costa Mesa runs about $870 higher than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Costa Mesa, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$21,581
After aid
Median grad rate
59.6%
6-year
Median admission rate
59%
Median enrollment
395
Undergrad
All colleges in Costa Mesa
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $7,203 | 47.6% | Not available | 16,091 | Partial | |
| Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $21,241 | 56.8% | 62% | 1,933 | Complete | |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa Costa Mesa, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $21,920 | 82.4% | Not available | 395 | Partial | |
| Pacific College Costa Mesa, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $29,363 | 62.5% | 56% | 225 | Complete | |
| Homestead Schools-Costa Mesa Costa Mesa, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, <2-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | 32 | Partial |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Costa Mesa are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaNet price: $21,241Grad: 56.8%
- Homestead Schools-Costa MesaNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Costa Mesa operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Paul Mitchell the School-Costa MesaNet price: $21,920Grad: 82.4%
- Pacific CollegeNet price: $29,363Grad: 62.5%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Costa Mesa are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Orange Coast CollegeNet price: $7,203Grad: 47.6%
Top programs in Costa Mesa
Most-completed programs across Costa Mesa colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts34.9% of degrees
- Business10.4% of degrees
- Health professions7.5% of degrees
- Psychology4.6% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts4.2% of degrees
- Computer science4.0% of degrees
- Communication3.9% of degrees
- Personal services3.6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Costa Mesa
Q.How many colleges are in Costa Mesa, California?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Costa Mesa, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private nonprofit, 2 Private for-profit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Costa Mesa?
By undergraduate enrollment, Orange Coast College is the largest institution in Costa Mesa with roughly 16,091 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Costa Mesa?
Based on average net price after aid, Orange Coast College is the most affordable institution in Costa Mesa at $7,203 per year.
Q.Which Costa Mesa college has the highest graduation rate?
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Costa Mesa institutions at 82.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Costa Mesa?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Costa Mesa is $21,581 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Costa Mesa?
Across Costa Mesa colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Business, Health professions.
Q.Are there community colleges in Costa Mesa?
Yes — Costa Mesa includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Costa Mesa that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.