District Information

The MiraCosta Community College District (MiraCosta) encompasses a vibrant mix of coastal communities, including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Olivenhain, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, and select areas of Camp Pendleton. Our picturesque location in north San Diego County, coupled with rigorous academic programs, welcomes students from across San Diego County, the broader state, the nation, and internationally.

The student population in credit programs is approximately 18,000. Students take credit courses at the Oceanside Campus, the San Elijo Campus in Cardiff, and several off-campus and online locations. A few credit courses are also available at the college's Community Learning Center, serving about 4,000 students in noncredit programs. An additional 5,000 students are enrolled in fee-based programs through the District's Technology Career Institute in Carlsbad.

MiraCosta College is committed to creating a nurturing environment for all students, underscored by our extensive Student Services program. These services are designed to support every student's academic and personal growth, whether full-time or part-time. Primarily located at the Oceanside Campus, services are also accessible at the San Elijo Campus and the Community Learning Center. We strongly encourage students to use these resources to enhance their experience and success at MiraCosta College. Our Student Services encompass many support areas, including Admissions and Records, Counseling, Tutoring, Testing, and Student Life and Leadership. These services are integral to our mission of providing a comprehensive educational experience tailored to meet the diverse needs of our student body.

For more in-depth information regarding our college’s diverse program offerings and classes, please contact the Public Information Office at 760.795.6613. Class schedules and course details can be accessed on our Class Schedules and Catalog webpage or via SURF.

MiraCosta College Campuses

Oceanside Campus

Over the decades, the Oceanside Campus has undergone substantial growth and transformation, with continuous plans for further enhancements. It features many facilities to support a diverse set of academic and extracurricular interests. These include a concert hall, three buildings for the creative arts equipped with classrooms, laboratories, studios, and spaces for music and art rehearsals and performances, an international sports field, a modern gym and Learning Commons, and a state-of-the-art science building. This comprehensive array of facilities underscores the campus' commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching student environment.

You can take a virtual tour of the Oceanside Campus or request an in-person tour from the Schedule a Campus Tour webpage.

Special Facilities at the Oceanside Campus

The Creative Arts Complex is a cornerstone of the campus, featuring the Theatre and Dance Building with 6,700 square feet of studio space that promotes collaboration between the theatre and dance programs. The complex includes a 430-seat concert hall, a classroom building dedicated to art/music history and new genre arts, and a 240-seat theatre. This is complemented by a three-level building that houses studios, classrooms, and rehearsal spaces for art and music, an art building equipped with ceramics and sculpture studios, and a photography lab.

Slated for an early 2025 opening, the New Media Arts Complex is designed to enhance certificate and degree programs in the arts and media arts technologies. This includes art history, digital photography, museum studies, studio arts, graphic design, and digital media. The complex will feature a range of facilities, including a spacious, museum-quality art gallery and a media arts lab. It will also offer extensive indoor and outdoor spaces for showcasing student artworks and dedicated areas for student study and collaboration.

Since 2017, MiraCosta College has been at the forefront of biomanufacturing education, offering a dedicated bachelor's degree. This program is bolstered by the latest enhancements in our campus facilities, including introducing a new, environmentally sustainable science building. The Chemistry Biotechnology building is a testament to modern technology and houses two advanced biology laboratories. The forthcoming addition of this building is set to further elevate our educational offerings with state-of-the-art chemistry and biochemistry laboratories and classrooms. 

The new Student Services Building, opening in fall 2024, will serve as a welcoming entry point to the campus, simplifying navigation for new and prospective students. This modern 39,040-square-foot facility centralizes essential student services—such as Admissions & Records, Financial Aid, and Counseling—previously dispersed across the campus. Additionally, it provides a new and improved space for MiraCosta’s Veterans Center. 

The Horticulture Complex includes a classroom building featuring specialized labs and classrooms for the program’s diverse offerings, greenhouses, areas for plant stock, a vineyard, and a plant sales area.

The Child Development Center, located on the northwest corner of campus, serves the dual purpose of educating MiraCosta College’s child development majors and providing affordable child care for students, faculty, staff, and community members.

In addition to traditional books and reference materials, the Learning Commons houses The Learning Centers, providing free tutoring and writing support through the Academic Support & Innovations Center, STEM Learning Centers, and Writing Center.

The Athletic Track and Field has been renovated to include a contemporary walking/jogging track alongside a soccer/rugby field, both designed to meet the specifications for international competitions. The Kinesiology, Health and Nutrition, and Gymnasium Complex, spanning 40,000 square feet, has been introduced to replace the previous gymnasium from the 1960s. This modern facility offers much more than traditional gym services, featuring a basketball court, a volleyball court, a lobby area, a specialized coach gym equipped with a large TV screen for strategy reviews, team rooms, classrooms, offices, and additional amenities.

San Elijo Campus

Established in 1988, MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus sits on 42 picturesque acres overlooking the San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff. This vibrant campus offers various educational options, including credit-bearing general education courses and noncredit, fee-based classes and workshops focused on community service.

For students keen on accelerating their education, the 22-month degree programs in business and communication are tailor-made for those ambitious to fast-track their academic and career paths. These programs combine MiraCosta's renowned quality education with your desired pace, making them perfect for individuals ready to advance their careers quickly.

In addition to its academic offerings, the campus also enhances community engagement and sustainability by hosting the Cardiff 101 Farmers Market, further enriching the campus's vibrant atmosphere and providing students and visitors with access to local produce and goods.

The North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by MiraCosta College, collaborates with the US Small Business Administration and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The SBDC is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs across North San Diego County through a suite of services that are either free or low-cost. These include personalized counseling sessions and a series of workshops designed to meet the diverse needs of the business community.

You can request an in-person tour from the Schedule a Campus Tour webpage.

Community Learning Center

Located just one mile east of I-5 in Oceanside, MiraCosta College's Community Learning Center (CLC) is a hub for a diverse array of noncredit courses, extending its offerings to over 30 locations throughout the District. The CLC provides a comprehensive range of courses in several key areas: basic skills for elementary and secondary education levels, the Adult High School, English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship, health and safety, programs for older adults, parenting, special education for adults, and short-term vocational training. Beyond academic offerings, the CLC is dedicated to supporting students holistically. This includes providing access to financial aid, academic counseling, and additional resources such as a food pantry and a lounge area to help students relax and connect with their peers.

Technology Career Institute

Opened in March 2015, MiraCosta College's Technology Career Institute (TCI) specializes in preparing skilled workers for sectors like high-tech manufacturing, maritime technology, and biotech manufacturing. The institute has broadened its educational offerings beyond the initial machinist certificate program to include certificates in electronics engineering technician and robotics/automation, all recognized by the industry.

By 2024, the TCI's range of programs has expanded to introduce innovative options such as the Aquaculture Certificate Program, developed in partnership with the Scripps Institute Sea Grant and Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute. Additionally, the institute has added a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program to its curriculum, offering students even more avenues for career development in technical and emergency medical fields.

These not-for-credit programs are run by the college's Community Education and Workforce Development Department.