MiraCosta College and National University have announced a new partnership designed to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students, employees, and alumni. The agreement, timed with National Student Transfer Week, introduces tuition discounts of up to twenty-five percent and expanded transfer support for those continuing their education. The two institutions will celebrate the collaboration with a signing ceremony on Monday, October 20, 2025, at MiraCosta’s Oceanside Campus.

Event: Partnership Signing Ceremony
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
Time: 9–10 a.m. 
Location: Welcome Center, Second Floor – Building 14, MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus (map)
Parking: Free parking reserved in Lot 5A
RSVP: Please RSVP to Kristen Gonzales at kgonzales@miracosta.edu

MiraCosta College and National University (NU) are joining forces to make higher education more affordable and accessible for local students and professionals.

The two institutions will host a partnership signing ceremony to formalize a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that expands access to higher education for hundreds of MiraCosta students, employees, and alumni.

This event coincides with National Student Transfer Week and celebrates both institutions’ shared commitment to creating seamless transfer pathways, reducing barriers, and fostering lifelong learning opportunities.

The new MOU will provide significant tuition discounts for MiraCosta students, alumni, and employees seeking to continue their education at National University, including:

• Twenty-five percent tuition discount for current MiraCosta students and recent alumni transferring with an associate degree
• Twenty-five percent tuition discount for MiraCosta students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a master’s degree
• Twenty-five percent tuition discount for MiraCosta employees pursuing most bachelor’s and master’s degrees
• Fifteen percent tuition discount for MiraCosta employees pursuing doctoral programs
• Flexible online and hybrid learning options for busy schedules
• Dedicated transfer support to guide students every step of the way

This partnership underscores both institutions’ shared mission to improve access, affordability, and student success through innovative transfer agreements. The collaboration will strengthen community connections, support workforce development, and provide more flexible options for degree completion.

Visuals:

The event will include:

• Remarks from president/superintendent Dr. Sunny Cooke at MiraCosta College, vice president of Instruction Dr. Denee Pescamona at MiraCosta, and representatives from National University including Dr. Gerardo de los Santos, vice president of community college relations, celebrating a shared commitment to student success and lifelong learning.

• Student and staff voices spotlighting the promise of tomorrow’s transfer pathways — and the real lives these partnerships will empower.

• Compelling visuals of MiraCosta’s new Welcome Center, a bright, modern, student-focused facility opened in fall 2024 and made possible by voter-supported Measure MM.

For more information about National Student Transfer Week, visit nists.org/national-transfer-student-week.