Public · Mostly associate degrees · Large suburb

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California. 17,684 undergraduates.

51%Graduation rate13 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$23,913Average net price per year140% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$51,222Median earnings 10 years after starting13% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$10,500Median debt at graduation12% below the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($10,500) equals 20% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($51,222). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$23,950
$30,000–$48,000$22,539
$48,001–$75,000$24,231
$75,001–$110,000$27,046

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $1,156 in-state, $11,956 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate51%38%
Return for second year77%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$42,797$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$51,222$45,146
Median debt at graduation$10,500$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

116 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing96—$91,551—
Business Administration, Management and Operations351—$63,072—
Business/Commerce, General9—$63,009—
Communication and Media Studies121—$60,280—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities3,116$46,324$56,939$8,408
Psychology, General186$32,882$47,421—
Agricultural Production Operations3———
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services11———
Natural Resources Conservation and Research4———
Architectural Sciences and Technology5———
Area Studies3———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies2———
Journalism2———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication40———
Graphic Communications1———
Computer Programming6———
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications5———
Computer Science27———
Computer Software and Media Applications3———
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications8———
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services1———
Culinary Arts and Related Services5———
Special Education and Teaching52———
Engineering, General9———
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians2———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians1———
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics4———
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics2———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics10———
American Sign Language10———
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other2———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services6———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services18———
Apparel and Textiles2———
English Language and Literature, General40———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies2———
Biology, General47———
Mathematics51———
Biological and Physical Sciences244———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness23———
Philosophy4———
Astronomy and Astrophysics4———
Chemistry54———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences2———
Physics55———
Human Services, General4———
Anthropology26———
Economics129———
Geography and Cartography12———
Political Science and Government51———
Sociology34———
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection1———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians8———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians20———
Visual and Performing Arts, General13———
Dance1———
Design and Applied Arts18———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft14———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts2———
Fine and Studio Arts37———
Music9———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General215———
Health and Medical Administrative Services16———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions3———
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions7———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions7———
Accounting and Related Services12———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services3———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations6———
Hospitality Administration/Management4———
Real Estate23———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations4———
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations1———
History43———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Saddleback College cost per year?
The average net price at Saddleback College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $23,913 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Saddleback College graduates earn?
Former Saddleback College students earn a median of $51,222 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Saddleback College?
51% of Saddleback College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Saddleback College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Saddleback College is $10,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.