Miami Dade College (MDC) is a public community college system based in Miami, Florida, and one of the largest colleges in the United States by enrollment. Founded in 1959 as Dade County Junior College, MDC serves over 100,000 students across eight campuses and numerous outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County. The college maintains an open admissions policy with among the most affordable in-state tuition in Florida, making it exceptionally accessible to the diverse Miami metropolitan community. MDC students represent more than 150 countries, reflecting Miami's position as a global city with large Latin American, Caribbean, and international communities; approximately 70 percent of students identify as Hispanic or Latino. In addition to traditional associate degrees and career-focused certificates, MDC offers select bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields under Florida's community college baccalaureate program. The college has established guaranteed transfer articulation agreements with Florida's public universities, enabling seamless transfer with junior-year standing in many programs. MDC's athletics teams are known as the Sharks, with a cartoon mascot named Finn, and the college competes in NJCAA intercollegiate athletics including basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and soccer. MDC has long served as the primary educational gateway for first-generation college students, immigrants, and working adults throughout South Florida.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$14,000
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $9,661
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
