The estimated cost of attendance at MiraCosta College includes an estimate for full-time tuition and fees, books, supplies, basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. These are only estimates and your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.
The charts below are intended to help you understand your cost of living including all of the costs associated with going to college. MiraCosta does not charge students for all of the expenses below. To see a detailed list of tuition amounts and fees, please see the Student Accounts Office webpage.
Attending Fall 2024 & Spring 2025
| Expenses | Living with parent(s) | Living away from parent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $1,346 | $1,346 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,062 | $1,062 |
| Living Expenses: Food & Housing | $24,084 | $34,328 |
| Personal & Misc. | $4,060 | $4,968 |
| Transportation | $1,792 | $1,964 |
| Total Resident | $32,344 | $43,668 |
* The Cost of Attendance will be reflected with lower amounts if you are enrolled less than half-time.
Only Attending Summer 2025
| Expenses | Living with parent(s) | Living away from parent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $231 | $231 |
| Books & Supplies | $354 | $354 |
| Living Expenses: Food & Housing | $8,028 | $11,442 |
| Personal & Misc. | $1,353 | $1,656 |
| Transportation | $597 | $654 |
| Total Resident | $10,563 | $14,337 |
* The Cost of Attendance will be reflected with lower amounts if you are enrolled less than half-time.
Need to update your Living Expenses (food and housing)?
If you submitted a Free Application or Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), the Financial Aid Office assumed your living expenses based on your dependency status on your application.
- If you are considered a dependent for financial aid purposes, we assumed you are living with parents.
- If you are considered independent for financial aid purposes, we assumed you are living away from parents.
If the living expenses we assumed are incorrect, you can update this by completing the Housing Update form. Read the instructions on obtaining the form.
