Santa Ana College
- Graduation Rate
- 31% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,552 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $3,133 A+
- 82% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 22,485
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 85.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $85.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $85.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,054,726.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 31% — 45% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $85.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 22,485
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Santa Ana College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $3,133 a year after grants and scholarships — 82% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,552 ten years after enrolling — 7% above the typical college, against $6,871 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.65 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Santa Ana College serves nearly 22,500 students, making it a significant hub for higher education in California. With a net price of just $3,133, it stands out as an affordable option for those seeking a college education without incurring overwhelming debt.
The earnings potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $43,552 ten years after enrollment. However, the graduation rate sits at 31%, suggesting that many students face challenges in completing their degrees. While detailed mobility data isn’t available, the college does enroll a diverse student body, with 16% receiving Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to serving lower-income students.
Students who thrive at Santa Ana College often pursue programs in Humanities, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, or Psychology. The low median debt of $6,871 allows graduates to enter the workforce with less financial burden, making it an appealing choice for those looking to balance education costs with earning potential.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Santa Ana College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Santa Ana College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Santa Ana, California, Santa Ana College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.
- Full-Time Faculty
- 25%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,245
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 31:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 70%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Santa Ana College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Santa Ana College is $10,756, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $3,133. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,970 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $6,871 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $1,180
- Out-of-State
- $10,756
- Avg Net Price
- $3,133
- Median Debt
- $6,871
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 1%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,970
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,385
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,278
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,160
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Santa Ana College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Santa Ana College report median earnings of $43,552, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,845
- 8 Years
- $40,259
- 10 Years
- $43,552
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.16x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
How Santa Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Santa Ana College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Santa Ana College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $3,133/year ($12,532 total). Graduates earn $43,552 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,067,258 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,054,726 (85.2× your investment). The median debt is $6,871, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 31% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $12,532
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,067,258
- Net Return
- $1,054,726
- ROI Multiple
- 85.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $3,133
- Median Debt
- $6,871
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-2,236,627
Top Programs
The fields Santa Ana College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 30%
- Criminal Justice 20%
- Health Professions 11%
- Business & Marketing 8%
- Psychology 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 2%
- Legal Studies 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Santa Ana College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Santa Ana College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Santa Ana, California, Santa Ana College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Santa Ana College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Santa Ana College is $10,756, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $3,133. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,970 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $6,871 in federal student loans.
Is Santa Ana College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Santa Ana College report median earnings of $43,552, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Santa Ana College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Santa Ana College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.14). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Santa Ana College.
- Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica, CA · Close peer36% grad $42,193 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa, FL · Close peer34% grad $40,782 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL · Close peer35% grad $42,244 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CA · Close peer28% grad $42,368 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Cypress CollegeCypress, CA · Close peer36% grad $43,533 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dallas CollegeDallas, TX · Close peer34% grad $41,714 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Santa Ana College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Santa Ana College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.14). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note