Career Training Path › California › MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056 · Phone: (760) 757-2121 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
MiraCosta College is a public trade and career school in Oceanside, California offering medical assistant, auto mechanic, and LPN/LVN programs, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
The state average completion rate for similar programs is 64.2%, though MiraCosta's own completion rate isn't reported; graduates carry a median debt of $9,000 and earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for MiraCosta College; contact the school for current tuition. It participates in Title IV federal aid, and about 27.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,390 | $79,750 | $93,720 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Massage therapists | $34,320 | $45,970 | $64,130 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 37 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
MiraCosta College is a public community college located in Oceanside, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Because it participates in Title IV federal financial aid, students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for their programs. The campus offers 11 trade and career program families, with the largest enrollments in medical assistant programs (59 completers), auto mechanic schools (47 completers), and LPN/LVN programs (20 completers).
In terms of outcomes, the campus completion rate is not reported for this campus in federal data, though the state average completion rate for comparable programs is 64.2%; the specific comparison (completion_vs_state) is not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates who took on debt carried a median of $9,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $43,845, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 27.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income students enrolled.
With 132 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 10,278, MiraCosta serves a broad population in a large suburban setting. The mix of shorter certificate-style programs, such as medical assisting and auto mechanics, alongside more clinically oriented LPN training, may suit students seeking focused, career-specific training, though program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current program offerings, schedules, and outcomes directly with the school and cross-check accreditation and Scorecard data before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
MiraCosta College offers 11 trade and career program families, with the most completers in medical assistant programs (59), auto mechanic schools (47), and LPN/LVN programs (20).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, MiraCosta College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, MiraCosta College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus-specific completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The state average completion rate for similar programs is 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carried a median debt of $9,000, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry were $43,845, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard link for current figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
MiraCosta College is a public institution, which typically means lower published tuition for state residents and eligibility for state and federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (760) 757-2121 or visit its website for specifics.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?118912.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The mix of shorter certificate programs like medical assisting and auto mechanics alongside LPN training may suit career changers, but specific scheduling and program length data are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to confirm fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach MiraCosta College at (760) 757-2121 or through its website, https://www.miracosta.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard for side-by-side comparisons.
Nearby trade and career schools in California
- UEI College-OceansideOceanside, CA · 69% completion
- West Coast Barber CollegeOceanside, CA · career school
- Palomar CollegeSan Marcos, CA · 38% completion
- Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA · 71% completion
- Vista Adult SchoolVista, CA · community college
- Escondido Adult SchoolEscondido, CA · community college
- Healing Hands School of Holistic HealthEscondido, CA · 58% completion
- Grossmont CollegeEl Cajon, CA · 37% completion
See all trade and career schools in California or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.