"IT'S COOLER AT COAST"
Educational Destination
Orange Coast College (OCC) is an educational destination for the 18,000+ students enrolled representing 80 countries from around the world. Supporting more than 900 international students, the Global Engagement Center is committed to your success!
Prime Location
Orange Coast College is located in the city of Costa Mesa in Orange County, California minutes from Disneyland Resort, California's most popular beaches, and home to the largest shopping mall in California - South Coast Plaza. International students who attend a community college like OCC and transfer to a university for a bachelor degree, save 50-70% in cost on average.
OCC's affordable education comes with incredible value. We invite you to learn what sets us apart from the 1,000 community colleges in the U.S. and why "IT'S COOLER AT COAST"...
Gabriele Simonti - OCC Alumni
*Gabriele Simonti, Italy transferred to George Washington University in Fall 2019 to compete for NCAA Division I water polo - the highest level of collegiate athletics.
Orange Coast College is the first and only community college in Southern California offering on-campus student housing. "The Harbour at Coast" will accommodate a little more than 800 students in apartment style-living. Apply as an international student today and take advantage of a unique opportunity to experience college residential living.
There are many on-campus as well as off-campus housing opportunities available. A few properties of which we are aware that you may wish to consider are listed below. OCC is in no way affiliated with these properties, and we make no endorsement of any of these options or others.
Comprehensive Programs
130+ COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM
Students can choose to study any of 135 courses leading to associate degrees, certificates, and transfer to 4-year universities. Exploring your interest is encouraged! Pursue a wide range of programs, such Architecture, Business, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Film and Television, Hospitality, Visual and Performing Arts, and so much more. Orange Coast College is also home to the largest 2-year Marine Science program in the U.S.
HIGH LEVEL ACADEMIC QUALITY
OCC's tradition of academic excellence is a byproduct of university-level academic instruction, a wealth of student support and academic services, research opportunities, honors, an active campus life supported by the ASOCC (Associated Students of Orange Coast College), and a curriculum designed for seamless transfer to bachelor degree-granting universities. OCC offers a wide variety of classes - many taught by faculty who are professors at 4-year universities, published researchers, and experienced professionals in their respective fields.
LEADER IN UNIVERSITY TRANSFERS AND GRADUATION
In 2023, OCC granted more than 5,000 degrees and more than $600,000 in scholarships in merit-based scholarships for continuing students. OCC international students have transferred to more than 200 universities in the last 2 years and is consistently the top community college in Orange County for the number of transfers to the University of California and Cal State University combined.
#GOCOAST - CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
The "COAST PIRATES" is one of the most winning CCCAA (California Community College Athletics Association) programs, taking more than 100 state, conference, and national championships. Offering 23 athletic teams in 13 sports, many former OCC student athletes have moved on to compete at the NCAA level and even at the world championship, Olympic, and professional levels! Competing for the Coast Pirates is an opportunity to continue your athletic passion and to go on to compete at the university level.
MANY "FIRSTS" AND DISTINCTIONS
*Charline Sanchez, France is a digital artist and a member of the OCC history-making Esports team.
Orange Coast College is renowned for achieving many firsts and distinctions.
The only community college competing in collegiate level crew (rowing) including internationally consistently defeating notable NCAA teams such as UCLA, Berkeley, Stanford, and Princeton.
Led by the OCC Communication Studies program, OCC became the first community college to win four straight National Championships in Speech and Debate. (LA Times)
First community college to qualify for the finals of the ESPN eSports National Collegiate Championships. (ESPN)
Oldest collegiate recycling center in the U.S. and the only triple gold certified facility in the world.
Led by the OCC Computer Science program, OCC became the first community college to win at the ASA DataFest "hackathon". (LA Times)
Located in the Newport Harbor, OCC is the only community college in California with a School of Sailing and Seamanship.
...and much more.