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Orange Circle Antique Shopping District-18Photo: Jon Zich, [email protected] · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Orange

Orange is home to three colleges, with about 18,000 students on campus

Chapman University (9,961 students on campus) and Santiago Canyon College (7,854) are inside the city, and Santa Ana College (18,643) is 2.4 miles from the center, just over the line in Santa Ana. About 10% of Orange’s residents are enrolled in college, above California (8%).

Chapman UniversitySanta Ana CollegeWest Coast University-Orange CountySantiago Canyon 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 Orange. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
37
228,683 students on campus
Nearest college
0.7 mi
Chapman University
Residents in college
10%
Above CA (8%)
Nearest community college
2.4 mi
Santa Ana College · $1,180 tuition
Nearest public university
2.4 mi
Santa Ana College · $1,180 in-state
Median household income
$117K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Orange

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

Four colleges within 5.5 milesChapman University admits 65% of applicants. Together they have 39,331 students on campus.A community college 2.4 miles awaySanta Ana College in Santa Ana: tuition and fees $1,180 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 10% of residentsAbove California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Orange

26 private colleges within 15 miles, three public colleges within 14.4 miles, and eight community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miCalifornia State University-FullertonUniversity of California-IrvineOrange
University or collegeCommunity college
Chapman UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 9,961 on campus · In Orange65%admitted$47knet price82%graduate$70kearningsSouth Coast CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 241 on campus · In Orange$17knet price17%graduate$45kearningsThe Chicago School at AnaheimUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 483 on campus · 1.7 mi · Anaheim$57kearningsEarnings are reported for all 8 campuses that file with it.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Platt College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 405 on campus · 1.8 mi · Anaheim$23knet price64%graduate$41kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Santa Ana CollegeCommunity college · Public · 18,643 on campus · 2.4 mi · Santa Ana$3knet price31%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,180 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.California Career InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 517 on campus · 2.6 mi · AnaheimWest Coast University-Orange CountyUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,873 on campus · 3.3 mi · Anaheim$33knet price60%graduate$103kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Concorde Career College-Garden GroveUniversity or college · For-profit · 202 on campus · 4.5 mi · Garden Grove97%admitted$25knet price84%graduate$46kearningsCareer Networks InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 971 on campus · 4.6 mi · Santa Ana$50knet price89%graduate$45kearningsSantiago Canyon CollegeCommunity college · Public · 7,854 on campus · In Orange$2knet price48%graduate$45kearningsTuition and fees: $1,164 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Bethesda UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 248 on campus · 6 mi · Anaheim$11knet price11%graduateSouthern California Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · For-profit · 536 on campus · 6.2 mi · Anaheim74%admitted$33knet price74%graduate$54kearningsCoastline Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 728 on campus · 6.3 mi · 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.Hope International UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 656 on campus · 6.3 mi · Fullerton33%admitted$29knet price49%graduate$50kearningsCalifornia State University-FullertonUniversity or college · Public · 38,210 on campus · 6.7 mi · Fullerton91%admitted$7knet price70%graduate$63kearningsNorth-West College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 455 on campus · 6.7 mi · Anaheim$29knet price60%graduate$40kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Fullerton CollegeCommunity college · Public · 12,859 on campus · 6.9 mi · Fullerton$6knet price34%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $1,150 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Westcliff UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 4,526 on campus · 7 mi · Irvine73%admitted$35knet price62%graduateSouth Baylo UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 234 on campus · 7 mi · AnaheimGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Marshall B Ketchum UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 679 on campus · 7.2 mi · FullertonGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Pacific CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 238 on campus · 7.4 mi · Costa Mesa56%admitted$29knet price62%graduate$70kearningsStanbridge UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,637 on campus · 7.5 mi · Irvine10%admitted$45knet price62%graduate$62kearningsAmerican Career College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,643 on campus · 7.9 mi · Anaheim$31knet price70%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Grace Mission UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 121 on campus · 7.9 mi · Fullerton100%graduateOrange Coast CollegeCommunity college · Public · 14,830 on campus · 8.6 mi · Costa Mesa$7knet price48%graduate$47kearningsTuition and fees: $1,392 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Golden West CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,281 on campus · 8.9 mi · Huntington Beach$5knet price49%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $1,380 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 · 8.9 mi · Costa Mesa62%admitted$21knet price57%graduate$60kearningsIrvine Valley CollegeCommunity college · Public · 7,416 on campus · 9.1 mi · Irvine$2knet price57%graduate$49kearningsTuition and fees: $1,156 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of California-IrvineUniversity or college · Public · 35,954 on campus · 9.6 mi · Irvine29%admitted$14knet price87%graduate$81kearningsConcordia University-IrvineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,999 on campus · 9.6 mi · Irvine66%admitted$28knet price58%graduate$65kearningsCypress CollegeCommunity college · Public · 10,494 on campus · 9.8 mi · Cypress$5knet price37%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,150 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Interior Designers InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 107 on campus · 10.1 mi · Newport Beach$55kearningsSouthern California University of Health SciencesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 957 on campus · 11.7 mi · Whittier · mostly online$46knet price50%graduate$71kearnings52% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Biola UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 4,288 on campus · 12 mi · La Mirada74%admitted$31knet price68%graduate$57kearningsATI College-WhittierUniversity or college · For-profit · 125 on campus · 13.8 mi · Whitter$20knet price72%graduate$39kearningsCalifornia State University-Long BeachUniversity or college · Public · 38,193 on campus · 14.4 mi · Long Beach46%admitted$10knet price69%graduate$64kearningsPCI CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 163 on campus · 15 mi · Cerritos$27knet price68%graduate$36kearnings

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 Orange’s median household income ($117,113) falls.

Irvine Valley College9.1 mi · Irvine · sticker $13,001 · tuition $1,156$9,432a year
Cypress College9.8 mi · Cypress · sticker $14,290 · tuition $1,150$10,001a year
Santa Ana College2.4 mi · Santa Ana · sticker $12,375 · tuition $1,180$10,160a year
Santiago Canyon CollegeIn Orange · sticker $13,818 · tuition $1,164$11,014a year
Fullerton College6.9 mi · Fullerton · sticker $14,369 · tuition $1,150$11,574a year
Bethesda University6 mi · Anaheim · sticker $13,575$13,575a year
Orange Coast College8.6 mi · Costa Mesa · sticker $15,561 · tuition $1,392$13,862a year
California State University-Fullerton6.7 mi · Fullerton · sticker $18,269$15,631a year
South Coast CollegeIn Orange · sticker $18,982$18,982a year
California State University-Long Beach14.4 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 California8.9 mi · Costa Mesa · sticker $52,665$27,684a year
Platt College-Anaheim1.8 mi · Anaheim · sticker $28,170$28,170a year
University of California-Irvine9.6 mi · Irvine · sticker $38,632$30,546a year
Concordia University-Irvine9.6 mi · Irvine · sticker $58,682$31,967a year
American Career College-Anaheim7.9 mi · Anaheim · sticker $35,751$33,914a year
Hope International University6.3 mi · Fullerton · sticker $51,784$34,049a year
West Coast University-Orange County3.3 mi · Anaheim · sticker $34,887$34,887a year
Biola University12 mi · La Mirada · sticker $62,757$37,314a year
Southern California Institute of Technology6.2 mi · Anaheim · sticker $37,992$37,884a year
Westcliff University7 mi · Irvine · sticker $44,210$40,799a year
Stanbridge University7.5 mi · Irvine · sticker $49,714$49,714a year
Career Networks Institute4.6 mi · Santa Ana · sticker $52,552$52,552a year
Chapman UniversityIn Orange · sticker $83,146$55,066a year
Coastline Community College6.3 mi · Fountain Valley · mostly online · sticker $24,290 · tuition $1,364—a year
North-West College-Anaheim6.7 mi · Anaheim · sticker $31,922—a year
Pacific College7.4 mi · Costa Mesa · sticker $30,789—a year
Golden West College8.9 mi · Huntington Beach · sticker $14,618 · tuition $1,380—a year
Southern California University of Health Sciences11.7 mi · Whittier · mostly online · sticker $57,740—a year
ATI College-Whittier13.8 mi · Whitter · sticker $29,726—a year
PCI College15 mi · Cerritos · sticker $33,852—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 Orange: 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 →Santa Ana CollegeCalifornia State University-FullertonFullerton CollegeOrange Coast CollegeUniversity of California-IrvineCalifornia State University-Long Beach
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
Orange Coast College48% graduate$47k earnings$10k 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
Golden West College49% graduate$43k earnings$7k typical debt
Biola University68% graduate$57k earnings$24k 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: Platt College-Anaheim (4); West Coast University-Orange County (6); North-West College-Anaheim (4); American Career College-Anaheim (2).

Majors

What students study in Orange

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Orange’s 3 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 33%Business 17%Visual & performing arts 8%Psychology 6%Communication 4%Interdisciplinary 3%Everything else 30%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesSantiago Canyon College · 618 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsChapman University · 444 graduates a year
$84k4 yrs out
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsChapman University · 180 graduates a year
$66k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralChapman University · 171 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Biological and Physical SciencesSantiago Canyon College · 161 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsSantiago Canyon College · 158 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralSantiago Canyon College · 132 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftChapman University · 105 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Orange

Is Orange a college town?

No. About 10 of every 100 Orange residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above California (8). The largest campus in the city, Chapman University, has 9,961 students on campus.

What colleges are in Orange?

Chapman University, Santiago Canyon College and South Coast College are inside the city. Santa Ana College is 2.4 miles from the center, in Santa Ana, and West Coast University-Orange County is 3.3 miles from the center, in Anaheim.

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

Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, 2.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,180 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $3,133, 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.

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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 Orange. 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 →