Public Associate Strong 76/100

Mission College

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Santa Clara, California

About Mission College

Mission College is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Santa Clara, California. It enrolls 5,784 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
Open
Graduation
6.6%
Net Price
$5,080
Median Earnings (10yr)
$50,936
Enrollment
5,784
Student : Faculty
18:1

Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Strong
76/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes 58
Value 93
Affordability 46
Selectivity

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

As a two-year college, Mission College generally admits all qualified applicants.

Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Mission College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $5,080 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.

Average Net Price
$5,080
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
16%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$1,438
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$12,500
Room & Board (off-campus)
$35,361
Books & Supplies
$1,188
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,041
Total Cost of Attendance
$13,744

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

  • Under $30,000
    $3,463
  • $30,001 – $48,000
    $4,927
  • $48,001 – $75,000
    $6,463
  • $75,001 – $110,000
    $9,974

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$1,952
10% percentile
$3,500
25% percentile
$9,338
75% percentile
$14,352
90% percentile
What this means: 16% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.

Graduation Rate & Retention

7% of full-time students who enrolled at Mission College graduate within six years, and 76% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
7%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
76%
Returning for their second year
What this means: Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Mission College earn a median of $50,936 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$50,936
Earning > $25K
69%
10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

$43,000$45,000$47,000$50,000$52,0006 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates
$39,100

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates
$48,800

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $9,700, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
What this means: Strong return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$10.0 of median earnings 10 years out.

Who Studies Here

Mission College is home to 5,784 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 56% are first-generation college students, 73% study part-time.

Total Enrolled
5,784
Part-Time
73%
First-Generation
56%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
Asian 36.5% 2,108
Hispanic 35.6% 2,060
White 11.8% 681
Other 7.8% 451
Black 3.8% 218
International 2.0% 113
Asian: 36.5% (2,108 students)Hispanic: 35.6% (2,060 students)White: 11.8% (681 students)Other: 7.8% (451 students)Black: 3.8% (218 students)International: 2.0% (113 students)Total5,784

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Mission College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Midsize City Santa Clara, California
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
44% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semester scheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

What You Can Study

Mission College offers an extensive catalog of programs: 40 distinct programs across 22 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

2 Programs
4 Programs
4 Programs
1 Program
2 Programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Mission College is 18:1, on the higher side.

Student : Faculty
18:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$8,379
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Avg Faculty Salary
$130,053
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

136 instructional faculty across 1 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank Faculty Count Share Avg Salary
Instructors 136 100% $130,053

Pros & Cons of Mission College

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Mission College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Very affordable net price after aid
  • Open admissions
  • Solid post-graduation earnings
  • First-gen-friendly student body
  • Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
  • Class sizes are on the higher side
  • Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
  • Modest first-year retention
  • Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
  • Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel
Best for: Based on the data, Mission College is a fit for students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; families focused on keeping net cost low; working adults or students needing part-time study options.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mission College

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Mission College.

Is Mission College hard to get into?
Mission College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at Mission College?
Mission College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Mission College cost?
The average net price after aid at Mission College is $5,080 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Mission College worth it?
Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $5,080 per year. That's roughly 10.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Mission College known for?
Mission College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Mission College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Mission College are $50,936, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Mission College accredited?
Yes. Mission College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
How many students attend Mission College?
Mission College enrolls 5,784 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Mission College?
Mission College graduates 7% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Mission College a public or private college?
Mission College is a Public institution.
Where is Mission College located?
Mission College is located in Santa Clara, California.
What programs does Mission College offer?
Mission College offers 40 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Mission College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Mission College is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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