About Mission College

Welcome to Mission College, a vibrant learning community in the heart of Silicon Valley. For 50 years, we’ve been shaping futures and empowering students to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

Empowering Every Student to Find Their Mission

At Mission College, we offer a welcoming and inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds can discover their passions, engage in meaningful learning experiences, and achieve their educational and career goals. Whether you're starting your journey towards a degree or a certificate, planning to transfer to a top university, or seeking specialized job training, Mission College is here to support you every step of the way.

Why Choose Mission College?

Mission College is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to succeed academically and professionally. Our dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust student support services are designed to help you achieve your highest potential. Our comprehensive educational offerings include:

Over 100 degree and certificate programs in fields like nursing, engineering, and computer science.
Practical, hands-on training that prepares you for in-demand careers.
Flexible course options and diverse learning formats to fit your schedule.
Internships and real-world exposure to kickstart your career.

Whether you're pursuing a career-focused certificate or aiming to transfer to a four-year university, Mission College ensures you have the resources and support to succeed.

Who We Are: Serving a Diverse Community of Students

Mission College is proud to serve a diverse community of students from various ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and age groups, reflecting the dynamic and diverse culture of Silicon Valley. Our students come from different walks of life, and we’re here to ensure they thrive.

Most importantly, our students bring their full, authentic selves to our campus, enriching our community with beautiful cultures, foods, languages, arts and experiences. At Mission, we encourage everyone who steps on our campus to be who they are, to love who they love, and to stand together as one, united campus community.

Land Acknowledgment

We begin with the acknowledgement that we, as settlers and displanted people, reside on the unceded sacred land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. We are aware that the U.S. began with the conquest and genocide of Indigenous People and grew its wealth from the labor of enslaved Africans. The effects of colonialism and imperialism are still present and felt in the lives of many. We offer our respect to their ancestors, Elders, and descendants today. May we learn to be better stewards of the land.

A Rich History Rooted in Silicon Valley

Mission College is not just a place of learning; it’s a part of Silicon Valley’s storied history. Our campus sits on land with deep historical significance, once home to the Muwekma Ohlone people, who lived in harmony with the land for centuries. The legacy of the area continued through the establishment of the Santa Clara Mission in 1777, which marked the beginning of a long history of agriculture and innovation in the region. Over time, the land evolved through various phases, from farming to high-tech development, until it became the thriving educational hub it is today.

In 1975, after overcoming various challenges, Mission College was born, starting with just three instructors and a handful of students in temporary classrooms. The college quickly grew, moving to its current campus in 1979. Over the years, Mission College has evolved alongside the booming tech industry, serving as an educational partner to local businesses like Intel, Cisco Systems, NVIDIA, and many others. Our students have become an integral part of the workforce that drives innovation and growth in Silicon Valley.

Today, Mission College stands as a beacon of opportunity, offering a wide array of programs designed to meet the demands of the workforce and the aspirations of our students. From nursing to engineering, hospitality management to artificial intelligence, our academic offerings are as diverse as the community we serve.

Mission and Vision Statements and Values: Empowering Every Student

Mission Statement

Mission College serves the diverse educational needs of our student population by providing equitable access and support towards completing associate degrees and certificates aligned with transfer and career pathways to meet educational and personal goals as well as the workforce demands of the city of Santa Clara and Silicon Valley.

Vision

Empowering every student to find their mission.

Values

Community
Continuous Learning
Curiosity
Equity
Excellence
Inclusivity
Innovation
Integrity
Social Justice
Sustainability

Affordable Education with No Tuition Costs

At Mission College, we’ve removed financial barriers to higher education. If you live within our service area, you can attend college tuition-free. Don’t live in our service area? We have support for you as well. Learn more about paying for college. In addition, we offer services like free childcare, free healthcare, free parking, and more to support your journey toward success. We are also providing free meals to our students. At Mission, we remove barriers so that there is nothing stopping you from pursuing your dreams and achieving your full potential.

Job Training and Career Services

Mission College provides specialized job training in high-demand fields such as nursing, engineering, and fire protection technology and EMT program as well as many more. Our strong connections to local employers ensure that students gain valuable skills and real-world experience, from paid apprenticeships to internships, making them highly competitive in Silicon Valley's job market.

State-of-the-Art Campus Facilities

Our campus continues to improve, with new state-of-the-art facilities like the Business and Technology building, Viso Sports Complex, Gillmor Center, Student Engagement Center, and more, all designed to enhance your learning experience and support your academic journey.