
Saddleback College is a two-year community college located in South Orange County, California. It offers lifelong learning, academic transfer programs, associate degree and certificate programs and career training. There are more than 300 academic programs at the associate degree level, and more than 190 occupational skills programs that prepare students to join the workforce.
Academic study areas include everything from accounting, acting and musical theatre, to economics and education, and nursing or nutrition to oceanography or psychology.
Saddleback College also offers online learning and study abroad programs. Its successful transfer program for students transferring to the University of California or California State University systems ranks high. Universities and colleges that Saddleback students transfer to include UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State University, among others.
Saddleback College offers a comprehensive selection of arts programs, where students can choose from degrees in music, photography, art, cinema-television-radio, speech and theatre. There is an on-campus television station, radio station, and 400-seat theatre (McKinney Theatre) - all offering state-of-the-art facilities.
History
Saddleback College was founded in 1968 in Mission Viejo, California.
Academics
The academic calendar for Saddleback College follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters.
Colleges and Schools
As a two-year community college, the academic units for Saddleback College are divided into departments and divisions, rather than into colleges and schools.
Student Life
Students at Saddleback College can choose from more than 50 student clubs and organizations, or enjoy some of the many sports events, cultural activities or campus arts and entertainment.
Student services include advising, counseling, career planning, job placement services, on-campus childcare, a health center, re-entry services, veterans educational services, and more.
Traditions
Saddleback College is the "home of the Gauchos"(college mascot). The official school colors are cardinal red and gold, with white as an accent color.
Athletics
The Saddleback College "Gauchos" athletic teams have won three national championships, 24 state championships, and many regional and conference titles. The "Gauchos" compete in 20 intercollegiate sports, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Water Polo
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Water Polo
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
Online courses and programs are available through Saddleback College, but there is only one campus location, and it is in Mission Viejo, California.
Community Life
Saddleback College offers a Community Education program with classes that complement the academic curriculum. These are short-term, non-credit classes. Community Education classes are geared for both children and adults in response to a community need. Classes for the community include dance, music, sports, arts, reading and writing, among others.
The Saddleback College Emeritus Institute is a community program that offers courses in subjects geared towards older adults, or senior citizens. These courses are offered at community centers throughout Orange County.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $13,500. 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
- Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $1,300-$1,500
- Out-of-State: $5,700-$6,854
- Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $46-$55 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $200-$240 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 | 44% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 44% | $3,926 |
Receiving Student Loans | 2% | $4,846 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Saddleback College may provide services to students like those listed below:
- Distance learning
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
- 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 Orange County and community colleges in California as a whole.
Saddleback College | Orange County | California | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 34.8% | 29.4% | 24.3% |
Transfer-out Rate | 16.0% | 15.2% | 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 1987)
- Find all the other nursing 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 Saddleback 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
- Landscaping (A, C)
- Horticulture (A, C)
Architecture
- Architectural Technology (A, C)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (A)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A)
- Office Management and Supervision (A, C)
- Bookkeeping (A, C)
- Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations (A, C)
- Commerce (A)
- Real Estate (A, C)
- Administrative Assistant (A, C)
- Ecommerce (A, C)
- Small Business Management (C)
- Taxation (C)
- Sales Manager (C)
- Retail Management (A, C)
- International Business (A, C)
Communication Technology
- Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator Production
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (A)
- Radio and Television (A, C)
- Journalism
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (A, C)
- Web Design (A, C)
- Computer Graphics (A, C)
- Computer Science (A)
- Computer Programming (C)
- Web Management and Webmaster (C)
Construction Trades
Education
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (C)
- Education, Early Childhood Special Education Programs (C)
- Teacher Assistant (TA)
Engineering
- Pre-Engineering (A)
Engineering Technology
English Language and Literature
- English (A)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (A, C)
- Adult Development and Aging (C)
- Apparel and Textiles Management (A, C)
- Nutrition and Wellness Studies (A, C)
- Child Care (A, C)
- Family Studies (A)
- Family and Consumer Sciences (A, C)
- Apparel and Textiles (A, C)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Sign Language Interpretation and Translation (A, C)
- Spanish Language and Literature (A)
- Japanese Language and Literature (A)
- French Language and Literature (A)
- Arabic Language and Literature (A)
- Italian Language and Literature (A)
- Foreign Languages and Literatures
- German Language and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A, C)
- Health Services (A)
- Medical Assistant (A, C)
- EMT & Paramedic (A, C)
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling (A, C)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (A, C)
- Medical Lab Technician (A, C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
- Phlebotomy (C)
- Athletic Training (C)
History
- History (A)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences (A)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- Humanistic Studies (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Computer Repair Technician (A, C)
- Electrical Equipment Installation and Repair (A, C)
- Auto Mechanic (A, C)
- Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology (A, C)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental Studies (A, C)
- Environmental and Wildlife Management (C)
Personal and Culinary Services
- Cosmetology (C)
- Cooking and Related Culinary Arts (A, C)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (A)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (A)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Human Services (A, C)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Sports Medicine (A, C)
- Kinesiology And Exercise Science (A)
- Sports Management (C)
- Physical Fitness Technician (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Corrections Officer (A, C)
Social Sciences
- Sociology (A)
- Economics (A)
- Political Science (A)
- Anthropology (A)
- Social Science (A)
- Geography (A)
Transportation and Materials Moving
- Marine Transportation (C)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Visual and Performing Arts (A)
- Graphic Design (A, C)
- Art Studies (A)
- Cinematography And Film (A, C)
- Interior Design (A, C)
- Film Studies (A, C)
- Fashion Design (A, C)
- Music (A)
- Photography (A)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (A)
- Dance (A)
- Theatre Design and Technology (C)
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Saddleback College.
- Irvine Valley College in Irvine, CA (11 miles away)
- Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA (16 miles away)
- Santiago Canyon College in Orange, CA (18 miles away)
- Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley, CA (19 miles away)
- Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, CA (19 miles away)