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Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California · Public community college
Address: 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 · Phone: (714) 432-5072 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Orange Coast College is a public trade school in Costa Mesa, California, offering culinary, aviation maintenance, and radiology programs, accredited by the ACCJC.
Orange Coast College has a 47.6% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $47,348 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Orange Coast College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 24.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $53,860 | $86,100 | $99,650 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $70,210 | $121,260 | $137,770 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
| Dental assistants | $38,790 | $50,110 | $60,670 |
| Machinists | $37,440 | $57,190 | $74,210 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,520 | $58,060 | $70,400 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $47,350 | $72,830 | $100,200 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,740 | $46,380 | $59,180 |
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 47 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 39 | $52,916 | $57,920 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | $52,916 | $57,920 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | $24,035 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Mason/Masonry | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 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
Orange Coast College is a public trade and career school in Costa Mesa, California. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help cover costs. The campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, along with program-specific accreditors including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Among its 26 program families, the school awards the most completions in Culinary & pastry schools (80), Aviation maintenance (A&P) schools (60), and Radiology & sonography programs (53).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 47.6%, which is below the state average of 64.2%. Median debt for graduates is $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $47,348 per year. About 24.4% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 320 trade program completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 16,091, this midsize-city campus serves a broad student population. Program length and scheduling details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students, including adult career changers, should contact the school directly to confirm program formats and duration. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome figures, prospective students can consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Orange Coast College offers 26 program families, with the most completions in Culinary & pastry schools, Aviation maintenance (A&P) schools, and Radiology & sonography programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 47.6%, which is below the state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $9,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $47,348 per year, per federal data.
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 at (714) 432-5072 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Orange Coast College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition rates for state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?120342.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and schedule details needed to assess fit for adult career changers are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Orange Coast College by phone at (714) 432-5072 or visit https://orangecoastcollege.edu/ for application information.
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.