Palomar College
About Palomar College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Palomar College teaches in San Marcos, in the hills of north San Diego County, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The social sciences, biological sciences and business are its largest programs, and it keeps its own observatory and arboretum.
Founded
1946
Location
San Marcos, California
Students
17,712
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
37.5%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,354
Out-of-state: $10,650
Avg Net Price
$5,763
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$42,300
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
37.5% complete their degree within three years
Retention
70%
Transfer Out
9%
Teaching Quality
24:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
31.8%
$/Student
$6.2K
Class Size
Large
The 37.5% graduation rate is below average, but 70% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,354
In-State
$10,650
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Total Cost of Attendance
$14,360
After Financial Aid
$5,763
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$4,268
Receive Grants
18.3%
Take Loans
0.8%
Tuition is $1,354/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $5,763.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Palomar College fund their education.
While in School
18.3%
Get Grants
Free money
0.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$21,290
Median Family Income
After Graduation
N/A
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
N/A
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Palomar College.
Gender
45.2%
Female
55%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
17,712
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
53.8%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
33%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (45% women, 55% men). 53.8% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
17,712
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Palomar College fields 11 varsity teams with 416 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
11
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
416
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
65% / 35%
269
Men
147
Women
8
Men's Teams
9
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Palomar Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$42,300
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
—
318 grads
Social Sciences, General
—
279 grads
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
275 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
—
211 grads
Psychology, General
—
98 grads
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
—
62 grads
Graduates earn about $37K six years out, growing to $42K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palomar College
How much does Palomar College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Palomar College?▾
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.