
Monterey Peninsula College, located in Monterey, California, was founded in 1947. The school is one of the 110 schools that make up the California Community College System. As part of its goals, the school seeks to provide quality education through a dedicated staff and provide career training in fields relevant to the Monterey area, including programs that focus on the Seaside and Marina. Partnerships with local businesses and governments assist in community development and allow MPC to better determine what resources and programs will be beneficial for residents in the future. The school maintains and actively recruits dedicated professionals for its faculty, and are perpetually updating facilities to ensure that the latest technologies are present in the classroom and on campus.
Academics
Monterey Peninsula College is a two year public institution offering certificate and degree programs in a variety of fields. Certificate programs provide short length training in a particular field that prepares individuals to enter the work force upon graduation. Some associate degree programs fulfill a similar role, but generally take longer due to the addition of general education requirements within the curriculum. Individuals who have completed these programs will have the skills and training necessary to work at the entry level in their chosen profession. Academic programs generally fulfill the first two years of a four year education and allow for transfer into a four year institution upon completion. MPC models its transfer curriculum based on those offered at the University of California System, California State University System, as well as private colleges throughout the state. Agreements with those systems and certain private schools allow for easy transfer if certain GPA requirements are met.
Programs offered at MPC include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Admission to Monterey Peninsula College requires students to be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, or demonstrate that they may benefit from a post-secondary education. Students must complete and submit an application and deliver all pertinent transcripts after which the school will process the forms and send an email with 72 hours allowing for the registration process to begin. Students lacking a high school diploma or GED will need to take a placement exam administered by the school to determine if they will be admitted.
Financial Aid is available as grants, loans, scholarships, waivers and work-study programs. Students in need of financial aid should complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the posted deadlines. The FAFSA will be used to determine eligibility and awards. Students may also apply for Cal Grants if they are California residents. Scholarships typically require separate applications for each scholarship pursued and are awarded based on specific criterion that may or may not be based on need.
Athletics
The Monterey Peninsula Lobos participate in intercollegiate athletics through the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) in the Coast Conference. Athletic programs are useful for preparing students with skills and experience that can be highly beneficial in education and career. Teamwork, discipline, and good health are promoted by athletics, as is a healthy atmosphere of friendly competition.
Athletic Programs
- Baseball (Men Only)
- Softball (Women Only)
- Basketball
- Track and Field
- Soccer
- Football (Men Only)
- Golf (Men Only)
- Cross Country
- Tennis (Women Only)
- Volleyball (Women Only)
Clubs and Organizations
Clubs and organizations provide students with the opportunity to meet other students with similar interests in a group setting. Clubs offer various opportunities, including leadership if one chooses. Such clubs fall into various categories, such as academic, social, or cultural, and typically promote events or offer services as part of their goals. Students involved in club or organization activities tend form bonds with others that extend beyond the classroom, ands often past graduation.
Some MPC clubs and organizations:
- Mental Arts Club
- Robotics Club
- Latina Leadership Network
- Athletic Injury Prevention Club
- African American Student Affairs
- Creative Writing Club
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $8,000. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $1,100-$1,300
- Out-of-State: $5,900-$7,085
- Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $46-$55 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $250-$300 per credit unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 63% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 61% | $4,430 |
Receiving Student Loans | 3% | $5,117 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Monterey Peninsula College may provide student services like:
- Online classes
- Remedial courses
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
- Assistance to find work
- Day care for children
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Many community colleges are not only a source of technical or career training but also a stepping stone for students to transfer-out to a 4-year college, therefore we have included both graduation and transfer rates below and how this school compares against other community colleges in Monterey County and the community colleges in California as a whole.
Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey County | California | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 23.7% | 23.2% | 24.3% |
Transfer-out Rate | 24.1% | 17.9% | 13.8% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1991)
- Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in California
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Monterey Peninsula College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Horticulture (C)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (A)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A)
- Commerce (A, C)
- Bookkeeping (A, C)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (A)
- Small Business Management (A)
- International Business (A)
- Real Estate (A)
- Administrative Assistant
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (A)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (A)
- Computer (A)
- Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (A)
Engineering
- Pre-Engineering (A)
English Language and Literature
- English (A)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- Ethnic Studies
- Women's Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (A, C)
- Apparel and Textiles Management (A)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Foreign Languages and Literatures (A)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Health Preparatory Programs (A)
- Medical Assistant (A, C)
- Dental Assistant (A, C)
- Massage Therapy (A, C)
- Medical Executive Assistant (A, C)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) (A)
History
- History (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences (A)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- Humanistic Studies (A)
Library Science
- Library Science (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Auto Mechanic (A, C)
Personal and Culinary Services
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (A)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (C)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Human Services (A, C)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Sports Medicine (A)
- Physical Fitness Technician (A, C)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (A, C)
- Fire Prevention (A, C)
Social Sciences
- Sociology (C)
- Anthropology (C)
- Political Science (A)
- Economics (A)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Graphic Design (A, C)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (A)
- Art Studies (A, C)
- Fashion Design (A)
- Interior Design (C)
- Photography (A)
- Music (A)
- Visual and Performing Arts (A, C)
- Dance (A)
- Theatre Design and Technology (A, C)
- Drawing (A)
- Film Studies
- Sculpture
- Ceramic Arts
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Monterey Peninsula College.
- Hartnell College in Salinas, CA (13 miles away)
- Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA (27 miles away)
- Gavilan College in Gilroy, CA (31 miles away)
- West Valley College in Saratoga, CA (47 miles away)
- Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, CA (49 miles away)