Education in Costa Mesa, California: official figures
45.0% of adults aged 25 and over in Costa Mesa held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 244th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; California: 37.1%).
How many people in Costa Mesa have a graduate degree?
13.4% of adults aged 25 and over in Costa Mesa held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 391st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 1.1% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Costa Mesa?
In Costa Mesa, 16.9% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 26.3% had some college or an associate's degree (US: 26.0% and 27.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are there in Costa Mesa?
24,594 residents of Costa Mesa aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 23.1% of that age group, 179th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 14,812 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 5,075 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Costa Mesa?
6,851 residents of Costa Mesa were enrolled as college undergraduates and 1,422 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 7.8% of residents aged 3 and over, 247th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Costa Mesa attend preschool?
1,509 children in Costa Mesa were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Costa Mesa compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Costa Mesa ranks 244 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 241 | Eugene | 45.1% |
| 242 | Malden | 45.1% |
| 243 | Queen Creek | 45.0% |
| 244 | Costa Mesa | 45.0% |
| 245 | Round Rock | 44.8% |
| 246 | Norwalk | 44.8% |
| 247 | Little Rock | 44.6% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Costa Mesa ranks 391 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 388 | Chattanooga | 13.5% |
| 389 | Napa | 13.4% |
| 390 | Simi Valley | 13.4% |
| 391 | Costa Mesa | 13.4% |
| 392 | Miramar | 13.3% |
| 393 | Stonecrest | 13.2% |
| 394 | Tacoma | 13.2% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Costa Mesa ranks 288 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 285 | Daly City | 12.0% |
| 286 | New Rochelle | 12.0% |
| 287 | Wilmington | 12.0% |
| 288 | Costa Mesa | 11.9% |
| 289 | Wyoming | 11.8% |
| 290 | Tucson | 11.8% |
| 291 | Dayton | 11.8% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Costa Mesa ranks 247 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 244 | Santa Ana | 7.8% |
| 245 | Yuba City | 7.8% |
| 246 | Hampton | 7.8% |
| 247 | Costa Mesa | 7.8% |
| 248 | Omaha | 7.7% |
| 249 | West Covina | 7.7% |
| 250 | Burbank | 7.7% |
More on Costa Mesa: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B15003: Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 d0c8609e958022459215c8a31d7452ef7528ee8dd70fbb6f9a99de0f491f42d7), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 609deae49c91…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B14001: School Enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e175af4a33616da45fb590da3d67f37eee65a3cb51e6f5864c64ff31fb716b81), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b85f52a6d640…)
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