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Saddleback College

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA · Suburb · 17,684 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$4,152
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
46%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
31% typical
$50,874
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$40,902 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
78% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
About

Situated on a scenic hilltop in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is widely recognized as one of Southern California’s premier community colleges, renowned for its consistently high transfer rates to top universities within the UC and CSU systems. The college offers particularly strong programs in registered nursing, health sciences, business, and cinema-television-radio, alongside a wide array of career technical education pathways. Campus culture centers around a dynamic, commuter-friendly student experience anchored by active Gaucho athletics, a wide variety of student clubs, and newly modernized facilities like the Gateway Building. Setting it apart is the Saddleback College Promise program, which provides eligible first-time college students with free tuition and support, making it an exceptional, cost-effective launchpad for both academic transfer and direct career entry.

Wikipedia:Saddleback College is a public community college in Mission Viejo, California. It is part of the California Community College system and awards over 300 associate degrees, academic certificates, and occupational skills awards in 190 programs. Established in 1968, Saddleback is the oldest and southernmost institution governed by the South Orange County Community College District. Saddleback College is named for the saddle between the twin peaks of Santiago Peak and Modjeska Peak in the Cleveland National Forest.

Location
Mission Viejo, CA, 92692-3635 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SNA · Orange County
14 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$1,156$11,860
Books & supplies$1,062$1,062
Cost of attendance$13,939$56,482
Average net price$4,152Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$11,860
In-state: $1,156
Books & supplies$1,062
Cost of attendance$56,482
In-state: $13,939
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $4,152
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.saddleback.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Saddleback College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$1,436
Housing$32,399
Books & supplies$1,305
Personal expenses$5,706
Transportation$1,656
Total published by the school$56,482
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$2,596
$30–48k
$2,657
$48–75k
$6,349
$75–110k
$9,463
$110k+
$10,603
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
46%
Entered 2017–18
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
55% graduated · 19% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 25% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$36,605
10 yrs after entry$50,874
Debt
Median at graduation$9,500
Monthly payment$101
Middle 50% owe$2.8k–$10.5k
90th percentile$19,631
Green marks a figure above the typical Associate's — high transfer: 31% graduate within 6 yrs, $40,902 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

If Saddleback College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 45%Women 55%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
27 : 1
Pell grant
15%
First-gen
41%
Family income
$19,305
Independent
47%
Veterans
2%
Age at entry
25.0
Part-time
66%
Race & ethnicity
White
42%
Hispanic
31%
Black
2%
Asian
13%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
CCCAA · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$9M
Full-time faculty
27%
Faculty salary
$13,477/mo
Teaching spend
$7,075
per student
Federal loans
1%
Classification
Carnegie type
Associate's — high transfer
Undergraduate profile
Two-year, mostly part-time

Wondering if Saddleback College is the right fit for you?

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