At $4,754/yr net price, Orange Coast College graduates earn $47,348/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,348/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,754 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,016 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,348/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,348/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,105/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,473/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,289/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,230/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,872/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $57,920 | |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,921 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Associate | $18,771 |
The Risk Factor
45.3% of students at Orange Coast College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Orange Coast College costs about $4,754 a year net, and you can leave with a median debt of $9,500 , less than a used car. For a public two-year school in coastal Orange County, that low debt load is the main thing working in your favor. The problem is what you earn after: a median of $47,348 ten years out isn't much in a region where Costa Mesa rents and cost of living run high.
Your major decides everything here. Allied Health diagnostic and treatment programs pay roughly $57,920, more than double what psychology or dental support associate holders pull in around $24,035. Liberal Arts and Communication associate paths land near the bottom, in the $18,000-$21,000 range. If you take one of those transfer-oriented tracks and stop at the associate, the earnings data says you'll struggle to justify the time, even with low debt.
The real financial risk is the 45% graduation rate. More than half of enrolled students don't finish, and if you're one of them, you pay tuition and living costs without the credential that lifts earnings. Since living in this area is the bigger expense, dropping out is where the money actually gets lost.
The net price tiers stay reasonable across incomes , even over $110k you pay under $11,000 a year. If your family earns under $30k, you'll pay around $3,105, which is close to free for the tuition itself.
This school fits you if you enroll in a health credential and finish it. If you want a psychology, communication, or general liberal arts associate as an endpoint, the earnings here don't pay off , use it only as a cheap transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orange Coast College worth the cost?
Orange Coast College offers strong value with a low net price of $4,754 per year and median debt of only $9,500. However, the 45% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What Orange Coast College programs have the best return on investment?
Allied Health programs at Orange Coast College lead to median earnings of $57,920, making them the clear winners for ROI. Most other programs, including Psychology and Liberal Arts, result in much lower earnings around $20,000-24,000.
How much debt do Orange Coast College graduates typically have?
Orange Coast College graduates typically carry $9,500 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low cost helps keep debt levels reasonable even for students in lower-paying fields.
Do Orange Coast College graduates earn good salaries after graduation?
Orange Coast College graduates earn a median of $47,348 ten years after enrollment. This varies dramatically by program, with Allied Health graduates earning $57,920 while Liberal Arts graduates earn around $20,921.