WORKFORCE & EDUCATION
COLLEGES &
UNIVERSITIES
K-12 SCHOOLS &
DISTRICTS
LIVE, WORK, & PLAY
IN NORTH COUNTY
SOCAL WORKFORCE
PROGRAM
EDUCATION, WORK, RECREATION:
A PERFECT BALANCE.
What makes North county special is that it is possible to achieve a fantastic work-life balance in a growing entrepreneurial environment. More than 80% of the graduates of our region’s universities and colleges stay local. Its K-12 school districts are some of the best in the country, annually placing graduates in the Nation’s most selective schools. The rate of job growth in North County over the past 5 years has been greater than the rest of San Diego County, the state or the nation. North County: A Perfect Balance.
North County Colleges & Universities
California State University San Marcos
North County is home to California State University San Marcos, one of the fastest-growing universities in the Cal State system. CSU San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues.
- 17,000 students (Fall 2018)
- 43 bachelor program majors
- 24 master’s programs
- 53% of graduates were the first in their families to earn a Bachelors’ degree
- 85% of alumni stay in the local community
MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College is a two-year public California Community College serving the communities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar. Programs of note include Business Administration, Biomanufacturing, Computer Studies and Information Technology, and Web Development and Design.
- Credit Enrollment: 14,773 students
- Non-credit Enrollment: 2,479 students
- Full-time Faculty: 204
- Classified Staff: 368
MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College is a two-year public California Community College serving the communities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar. Programs of note include Business Administration, Biomanufacturing, Computer Studies and Information Technology, and Web Development and Design.
- Credit Enrollment: 14,773 students
- Non-credit Enrollment: 2,479 students
- Full-time Faculty: 204
- Classified Staff: 368
Palomar College
Palomar College is a public two-year community college. The main campus is located in San Marcos, California, in addition to education centers located in Escondido, Fallbrook and Rancho Bernardo. At Palomar, students may choose from hundreds of associate degree and certificate programs, prepare to transfer to a 4-year institution, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning.
- Extensive career training education program offerings
- 22,403 full-time and part-time students (Fall 2020)
National University
National University is San Diego’s largest private non-profit university with a mission to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
- Over 150,000 alumni worldwide
- 100+ degree programs
- Articulation Agreements with more than 110 community colleges nationwide
National University
National University is San Diego’s largest private non-profit university with a mission to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
- Over 150,000 alumni worldwide
- 100+ degree programs
- Articulation Agreements with more than 110 community colleges nationwide
K-12 Schools & Districts
North County has some of the highest-performing school districts in the state of California
North County School Excellence:
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS
CA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS
BLUE RIBBON
SCHOOLS
CERTIFICATES OF ACCOMPLISHMENT MIRACOSTA CC’S TCI
School Districts
- Carlsbad Unified School District
- Del Mar Union School District
- Encinitas Unified School District
- Escondido Union School District
- Escondido Union High School District
- Oceanside Unified School District
- Poway Unified School District
- San Dieguito Union High School District
- San Marcos Unified School District
- Solana Beach School District
- Vista Unified School District
Live, Work, & Play In North County
North County offers incredible diversity in recreation, industry, and housing options.
From world-renowned beaches to some of the best craft breweries on the planet to hundreds of miles of trails and thousands of acres of open space, North County provides a world class quality of life. Commute times average less than 20 minutes. Housing is relatively accessible to job centers. Many residents live less than 15 minutes from the beach. What’s not to love in San Diego’s Upper Tier?
North County Highlights:
MILES OF PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE COASTLINE
CRAFT BREWERIES AND BREW PUBS
ACRES OF PRESERVED OPEN SPACE
UNIQUE AND OWNER-MANAGED RESTAURANTS
North County Notes
See what SDNEDC and the broader North County has been up to in our blog.
First Mondays with the North County Mayors
Tune in to KUSI News (channel 51) at 9:20 am on the first Monday of each month for exclusive interviews with North County Mayors. Get the latest updates on economic developments and key initiatives shaping cities across North County. Watch 2025 Interviews San...
From Business Retention to Wildfire Prevention: Key Issues Addressed at SDNEDC’s First Chairman’s Dinner in 2025
SDNEDC hosted its first Chairman’s Dinner of the year at the Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista on February 27. Chairman Jim Callaghan, Jr. and CEO Erik Bruvold gathered 33 attendees from different industries and companies including the City of Vista, Merrill Lynch, US...
SOCAL Workforce Expands: More Career Pathways, More Opportunities for Students
Established in 2022, SOCAL Workforce continues to expand, bringing more career exploration opportunities to students and strengthening connections between employers and the future workforce. With new grants, an expanded video library, and dedicated outreach efforts,...