Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Fountain Valley

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Fountain Valley, California (6013249267)Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colleges in and near Fountain Valley

Santa Ana College is 5 miles from Fountain Valley

Coastline Community College (728 students on campus) is inside the city, and Santa Ana College (18,643) is 5 miles from the center, just over the line in Santa Ana. About 9% of Fountain Valley’s residents are enrolled in college, above California (8%).

Golden West CollegeOrange Coast CollegeVanguard University of Southern CaliforniaSanta Ana College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Fountain Valley. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
42
263,152 students on campus
Nearest college
1.3 mi
Coastline
Residents in college
9%
Above CA (8%)
Nearest community college
1.3 mi
Coastline · $1,364 tuition
Nearest public university
5 mi
Santa Ana College · $1,180 in-state
Median household income
$115K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Fountain Valley

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Four colleges within 5 milesVanguard University of Southern California admits 62% of applicants. Together they have 41,710 students on campus.A community college 1.3 miles awayCoastline Community College in Fountain Valley: tuition and fees $1,364 a year for California residents.In-state price at Santa Ana CollegeLiving in California, Santa Ana College charges $1,180 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $10,756. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 9% of residentsAbove California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Fountain Valley

29 private colleges within 14.8 miles, three public colleges within 12.4 miles, and 10 community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miCalifornia State University-FullertonCalifornia State University-Long BeachUniversity of California-IrvineFountain Valley
University or collegeCommunity college
Coastline Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 728 on campus · In Fountain Valley · mostly online$16knet price34%graduate$44kearnings92% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,364 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Golden West CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,281 on campus · 3.3 mi · Huntington Beach$5knet price49%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $1,380 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Orange Coast CollegeCommunity college · Public · 14,830 on campus · 3.7 mi · Costa Mesa$7knet price48%graduate$47kearningsTuition and fees: $1,392 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,956 on campus · 4.4 mi · Costa Mesa62%admitted$21knet price57%graduate$60kearningsConcorde Career College-Garden GroveUniversity or college · For-profit · 202 on campus · 4.5 mi · Garden Grove97%admitted$25knet price84%graduate$46kearningsPacific CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 238 on campus · 4.9 mi · Costa Mesa56%admitted$29knet price62%graduate$70kearningsSanta Ana CollegeCommunity college · Public · 18,643 on campus · 5 mi · Santa Ana$3knet price31%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,180 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Stanbridge UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,637 on campus · 5.8 mi · Irvine10%admitted$45knet price62%graduate$62kearningsCareer Networks InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 971 on campus · 6 mi · Santa Ana$50knet price89%graduate$45kearningsWestcliff UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 4,526 on campus · 6.2 mi · Irvine73%admitted$35knet price62%graduateInterior Designers InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 107 on campus · 6.9 mi · Newport Beach$55kearningsSouth Coast CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 241 on campus · 7 mi · Orange$17knet price17%graduate$45kearningsWest Coast University-Orange CountyUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,873 on campus · 7.3 mi · Anaheim$33knet price60%graduate$103kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.University of California-IrvineUniversity or college · Public · 35,954 on campus · 7.6 mi · Irvine29%admitted$14knet price87%graduate$81kearningsThe Chicago School at AnaheimUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 483 on campus · 7.6 mi · Anaheim$57kearningsEarnings are reported for all 8 campuses that file with it.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Chapman UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 9,961 on campus · 8 mi · Orange65%admitted$47knet price82%graduate$70kearningsPlatt College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 405 on campus · 8 mi · Anaheim$23knet price64%graduate$41kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.California Career InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 517 on campus · 8.2 mi · AnaheimSouthern California Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · For-profit · 536 on campus · 8.8 mi · Anaheim74%admitted$33knet price74%graduate$54kearningsConcordia University-IrvineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,999 on campus · 8.9 mi · Irvine66%admitted$28knet price58%graduate$65kearningsNorth-West College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 455 on campus · 8.9 mi · Anaheim$29knet price60%graduate$40kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Bethesda UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 248 on campus · 9.1 mi · Anaheim$11knet price11%graduateCypress CollegeCommunity college · Public · 10,494 on campus · 9.2 mi · Cypress$5knet price37%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,150 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.South Baylo UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 234 on campus · 9.5 mi · AnaheimGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.American Career College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,643 on campus · 9.7 mi · Anaheim$31knet price70%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Irvine Valley CollegeCommunity college · Public · 7,416 on campus · 10.3 mi · Irvine$2knet price57%graduate$49kearningsTuition and fees: $1,156 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.California State University-Long BeachUniversity or college · Public · 38,193 on campus · 10.5 mi · Long Beach46%admitted$10knet price69%graduate$64kearningsGrace Mission UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 121 on campus · 10.9 mi · Fullerton100%graduateFullerton CollegeCommunity college · Public · 12,859 on campus · 11.6 mi · Fullerton$6knet price34%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $1,150 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Hope International UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 656 on campus · 12 mi · Fullerton33%admitted$29knet price49%graduate$50kearningsSantiago Canyon CollegeCommunity college · Public · 7,854 on campus · 12.1 mi · Orange$2knet price48%graduate$45kearningsTuition and fees: $1,164 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.California State University-FullertonUniversity or college · Public · 38,210 on campus · 12.4 mi · Fullerton91%admitted$7knet price70%graduate$63kearningsMarshall B Ketchum UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 679 on campus · 12.9 mi · FullertonGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.North-West College-Long BeachUniversity or college · For-profit · 576 on campus · 13 mi · Long Beach$34knet price58%graduate$40kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Long Beach City CollegeCommunity college · Public · 17,484 on campus · 13.6 mi · Long Beach$6knet price30%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $1,556 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,447 on campus · 13.7 mi · Long Beach$28knet price63%graduate$53kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Biola UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 4,288 on campus · 14 mi · La Mirada74%admitted$31knet price68%graduate$57kearningsAmerican University of Health SciencesUniversity or college · For-profit · 523 on campus · 14 mi · Signal Hill50%admitted50%graduate$94kearningsPCI CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 163 on campus · 14.2 mi · Cerritos$27knet price68%graduate$36kearningsLaguna College of Art and DesignUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 807 on campus · 14.5 mi · Laguna Beach94%admitted$43knet price52%graduate$48kearningsCerritos CollegeCommunity college · Public · 13,757 on campus · 14.8 mi · Norwalk$2knet price31%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $1,364 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Southern California University of Health SciencesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 957 on campus · 14.8 mi · Whittier · mostly online$46knet price50%graduate$71kearnings52% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at Over $110k, where Fountain Valley’s median household income ($115,237) falls.

Cerritos College14.8 mi · Norwalk · sticker $10,236 · tuition $1,364$7,901a year
Irvine Valley College10.3 mi · Irvine · sticker $13,001 · tuition $1,156$9,432a year
Cypress College9.2 mi · Cypress · sticker $14,290 · tuition $1,150$10,001a year
Long Beach City College13.6 mi · Long Beach · sticker $14,503 · tuition $1,556$10,089a year
Santa Ana College5 mi · Santa Ana · sticker $12,375 · tuition $1,180$10,160a year
Santiago Canyon College12.1 mi · Orange · sticker $13,818 · tuition $1,164$11,014a year
Fullerton College11.6 mi · Fullerton · sticker $14,369 · tuition $1,150$11,574a year
Bethesda University9.1 mi · Anaheim · sticker $13,575$13,575a year
Orange Coast College3.7 mi · Costa Mesa · sticker $15,561 · tuition $1,392$13,862a year
California State University-Fullerton12.4 mi · Fullerton · sticker $18,269$15,631a year
South Coast College7 mi · Orange · sticker $18,982$18,982a year
California State University-Long Beach10.5 mi · Long Beach · sticker $22,679$19,750a year
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove4.5 mi · Garden Grove · sticker $29,040$26,760a year
Vanguard University of Southern California4.4 mi · Costa Mesa · sticker $52,665$27,684a year
Platt College-Anaheim8 mi · Anaheim · sticker $28,170$28,170a year
University of California-Irvine7.6 mi · Irvine · sticker $38,632$30,546a year
Concordia University-Irvine8.9 mi · Irvine · sticker $58,682$31,967a year
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California13.7 mi · Long Beach · sticker $33,041$32,461a year
American Career College-Anaheim9.7 mi · Anaheim · sticker $35,751$33,914a year
Hope International University12 mi · Fullerton · sticker $51,784$34,049a year
West Coast University-Orange County7.3 mi · Anaheim · sticker $34,887$34,887a year
North-West College-Long Beach13 mi · Long Beach · sticker $36,942$36,184a year
Biola University14 mi · La Mirada · sticker $62,757$37,314a year
Southern California Institute of Technology8.8 mi · Anaheim · sticker $37,992$37,884a year
Westcliff University6.2 mi · Irvine · sticker $44,210$40,799a year
Laguna College of Art and Design14.5 mi · Laguna Beach · sticker $57,989$46,889a year
Stanbridge University5.8 mi · Irvine · sticker $49,714$49,714a year
Career Networks Institute6 mi · Santa Ana · sticker $52,552$52,552a year
Chapman University8 mi · Orange · sticker $83,146$55,066a year
Coastline Community CollegeIn Fountain Valley · mostly online · sticker $24,290 · tuition $1,364—a year
Golden West College3.3 mi · Huntington Beach · sticker $14,618 · tuition $1,380—a year
Pacific College4.9 mi · Costa Mesa · sticker $30,789—a year
North-West College-Anaheim8.9 mi · Anaheim · sticker $31,922—a year
PCI College14.2 mi · Cerritos · sticker $33,852—a year
Southern California University of Health Sciences14.8 mi · Whittier · mostly online · sticker $57,740—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Fountain Valley: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Orange Coast CollegeSanta Ana CollegeUniversity of California-IrvineCalifornia State University-Long BeachCalifornia State University-FullertonLong Beach City College
California State University-Fullerton70% graduate$63k earnings$14k typical debt
California State University-Long Beach69% graduate$64k earnings$14k typical debt
University of California-Irvine87% graduate$81k earnings$15k typical debt
Santa Ana College31% graduate$44k earnings$7k typical debt
Long Beach City College30% graduate$39k earnings$10k typical debt
Orange Coast College48% graduate$47k earnings$10k typical debt
Cerritos College31% graduate$41k earnings$8k typical debt
Fullerton College34% graduate$43k earnings$4k typical debt
Cypress College37% graduate$44k earnings$10k typical debt
Chapman University82% graduate$70k earnings$20k typical debt
Santiago Canyon College48% graduate$45k earnings$5k typical debt
Irvine Valley College57% graduate$49k earnings$6k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: West Coast University-Orange County (6); Platt College-Anaheim (4); North-West College-Anaheim (4); American Career College-Anaheim (2); North-West College-Long Beach (4); Universal Technical Institute-Southern California (6).

Questions about college in Fountain Valley

Is Fountain Valley a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Fountain Valley residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above California (8). The largest campus in the city, Coastline Community College, has 728 students on campus.

What colleges are in Fountain Valley?

Coastline Community College is inside the city. Santa Ana College is 5 miles from the center, in Santa Ana, Orange Coast College is 3.7 miles from the center, in Costa Mesa, and Golden West College is 3.3 miles from the center, in Huntington Beach.

What is the closest community college to Fountain Valley, and what does it cost?

Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley, 1.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,364 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $16,341, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Santa Ana College cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $1,180 a year in-state and $10,756 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $1,970 (under $30,000 income) to $10,160 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Fountain Valley. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →