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.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
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
Outcomes58
Value93
Affordability46
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.
$1,95210%percentile
$3,50025%percentile
$9,33875%percentile
$14,35290%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.
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
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 CitySanta Clara, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
44%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling 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.
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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