Public Institution Mission Viejo, CA
Saddleback College
Two-year college
Saddleback College is a public mid-size two-year college in Mission Viejo, CA, offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer paths, a Hispanic-serving institution with a suburban campus setting, with about 17,684 undergraduates, typical net price of $4,152 after grants, first-year retention of 77.1%, about 48.0% of students graduating within three years, and median earnings of $36,605 six years after enrollment.
Key facts for Saddleback College
Key rankings for Saddleback College
Where Saddleback College ranks among two-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#68 of 667
Net Price
#212 of 651
Earnings
#76 of 630
Retention
#152 of 635
Graduation
#135 of 550
Debt
What stands out at Saddleback College
Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA is a two-year college.
- Large suburb
- 17,684 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Average net price after aid is lower than or close to the national median for similar schools, while six-year earnings meet or beat that median. On these two measures the pattern is comparatively favorable.
First-year retention and graduation both track at or above national benchmarks for similar schools, suggesting relatively steady progress for students who start here.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Saddleback College
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is below the national median of $5,040 for similar two-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is above the national median of $9,866.
Average net price by family income for full-time, first-time undergraduates.
How Saddleback College compares
Figures are for two-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Far West (region 8).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (CA) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $4,152Below national median | $8,366 | $8,522 | $9,023 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $36,605Above national median | $34,496 | $34,664 | $34,495 |
| Retention | 77.1%Above national median | 70.5% | 67.3% | 64.2% |
| Graduation | 48.0%Above national median | 39.3% | 37.4% | 35.6% |
| Acceptance rate | Not reported | 82.8%* | 92.5%* | 82.8% |
| Pell share | 15.2%Below national median | 25.3% | 26.2% | 31.7% |
| Median debt | $9,500Below national median | $10,104 | $10,500 | $11,000 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
* Fewer than 10 similar schools in that slice. Treat as a rough guide.
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Saddleback College
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Saddleback College
Common questions about Saddleback College, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Saddleback College located?
Saddleback College is located in Mission Viejo, CA. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Saddleback College?
Saddleback College is a public two-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar community colleges for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Saddleback College (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $1,156 for in-state students and $11,860 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $4,152. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Saddleback College's acceptance rate?
An overall acceptance rate is not shown for Saddleback College. That is common for open-admission colleges, specialized institutions, or when figures are suppressed. Contact admissions for program-specific requirements.
How large is Saddleback College's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 17,684. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Saddleback College?
Median earnings six years after entry at Saddleback College are roughly $36,605. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 48.0% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Saddleback College?
Among similar schools nationwide, Saddleback College stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#68 of 667); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#212 of 651); First-year retention (#76 of 630); Graduation rate (#152 of 635); Median loan debt (#135 of 550). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Saddleback College?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Saddleback College’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Saddleback College Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Saddleback College |
| Official website | https://www.saddleback.edu/ |
| City, state | Mission Viejo, CA |
| School type | Two-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 17,684 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $1,156 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $11,860 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $1,156 |
| Total cost of attendance | $13,939 |
| Room and board (on campus) | Not reported |
| Average net price | $4,152 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $36,605 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $41,667 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $50,874 |
| Median loan debt | $9,500 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 77.1% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | Not reported |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | 48.0% |
| Acceptance rate | Not reported |
| SAT average | Not reported |
| ACT average | Not reported |
| Pell Grant share | 15.2% |
| Share with federal loans | 1.3% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 65.7% |
| Campus setting | Large suburb |
| Student–faculty ratio | 27 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $13,477 |
| Full-time faculty share | 26.6% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | Not reported |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | Not reported |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 54.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 45.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 2.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 31.1% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 42.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 12.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 6.3% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 2.1% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $2,596 |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $2,657 |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $6,349 |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $9,463 |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $10,603 |
Sources for Saddleback College
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.