International students applying to MiraCosta College are required to show sufficient funds to study and live in the United States before receiving a SEVIS I-20 form. The following outlines how the MiraCosta calculates the estimates for international students to study and live near the college. These estimates are for planning purposes only. To find current MiraCosta tuition and fees, please visit the Student Account website.
Estimated Costs Based Upon 2022-2023 Academic Year
Tuition and Fees* $350 per unit ($46 Enrollment Fee + $304 Non-Resident Fee)
Estimated cost for 12 units (=minimum units required for F-1 visa international students
for each fall and spring semester) x 2 semesters with other mandatory fees such as
health center fee is approximately $9,500.
Room and Board (estimated)
Estimated cost for $1200 per month for host family placement for 9 months, plus $300
per month for additional food, plus additional $650 for supplies and 400 for transportation
(monthly bus pass is $44). Visit our Housing Information webpage for information
on how to find a host family placement service.
$15,000
Health insurance (estimated)
Health insurance is MANDATORY for all international students.
$1,800
TOTAL: $26,300
F-1 visa regulations require international students to show proof of financial support equivalent to one year’s estimated fees. This estimate show a MINIMUM AMOUNT students and sponsors must be prepared to pay for each year a student is attending school. Actual expenses will depend upon housing options, number of classes students take, and personal spending habits. While attending MiraCosta College, students are expected to continue to pay all expenses --- educational and personal --- to maintain F-1 visa status. Work options for international student will not replace the need for full financial support while attending school.
Registration and Payment of Fees
- Tuition and fees are paid at the time you register for classes. You will register for your first semester after you complete the required testing and meet an academic counselor. Students must register for classes twice per year: staring May (fall semester) and starting December (spring semester).
- Students can pay tuition and fees using U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar traveler’s checks, Master Card or Visa.
- Housing is the responsibility of the individual student and/or sponsor. MiraCosta College does not provide dormitories or college-approved housing for students. Visit our housing information webpage for information on how to find housing:
- Upon your arrival we suggest you bring a credit card to pay the cost of tuition, fees, and insurance requireto begin your first semester. Check the maximum limit of the amount you can pay by the credit card.
- Because of the requirements of the F-1 student visa, all international students are required to pay non-resident tuition which is included in the estimated tuition and fees calculation.
- The transportation estimated cost above does not include the cost of renting, leasing or purchasing a car. Students expecting to purchase a car need to include mandatory car insurance, maintenance expenses, and gas costs when estimating total cost of purchasing a car.
Comparison of Tuition and Application Fees at Community Colleges as of 2022
| MiraCosta College | Diablo Valley College | Irvine Valley College | Pasadena City College | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Monica College | |
| Per Unit Tuition | $350 | $346 | $366 | $363 | $366 | $377 |
| Application Fee | $0 | $50 | $54 | $50 | $75 | $75 |
MiraCosta charges lower per unit tuition than most community college in California and is one of only a few colleges that does not charge an application fee.
Scholarship Information for International Students
Did you know international students are eligible for 90% of the scholarships MiraCosta College offers?
Here are the TOP 10 scholarships offered at MiraCosta College. To find more up-to-date and detailed information, please visit Scholarship Office Website.
