Palomar College

1140 W. Mission
San Marcos, CA 92069
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Palomar College is an educational leader committed to quality learning. We provide our community the knowledge, information, skills, and aesthetic appreciation necessary to live responsibly, effectively, and creatively in an interdependent and changing world.

School Highlights

Palomar College serves 21,141 students (33% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 21,141 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,336
  • Out-state tuition: $7,386
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 61%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Palomar College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size

School Overview

The teacher population of 1,051 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Palomar College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
1,051 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Palomar College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Palomar College has declined by 11% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 has decreased from 23:1 over five years.
The Palomar College diversity score of 0.66 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
21,141 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Palomar College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Palomar College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
7,001 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Palomar College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
14,140 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Palomar College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Palomar College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
143 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
7,001 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Palomar College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
14,140 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Palomar College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
7%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Palomar College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
42%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Palomar College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
2%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Palomar College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
39%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Palomar College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in Palomar College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2011-12 school year data.
% Two or more races
5%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Palomar College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
2%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Palomar College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Palomar College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.66
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Palomar College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
31%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Palomar College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,200
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Palomar College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,336 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,386 is more than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,336
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Palomar College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,386
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Palomar College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
81%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Palomar College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,500
$10,000
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Palomar College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$3,500
$6,239
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Palomar College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%

Sports

Total Sports Offered
13 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
24 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Active Minds, Black Student Union, Chem Club, Child Development Club, Circle K International, EMS Club, Fashion Club, Fire Technology Students, Foster Youth Club, Gender and Women's Studies Club, Geo-Science Connection Club, GSA, International Student Club, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Latter Day Saint Student Association, MEChA, Muslim Student Union, NASA, No Limits Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Palomar / Pacific Coast Concert Band, Palomar Chamber Ensemble, Palomar Chorale, Palomar Symphone Orchestra, Palomar Women's Chorus
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Palomar College is a public two-year community college. The Palomar campus is located in San Marcos, California, approximately 30 miles north of San Diego. Palomar enrolls approximately 30,000 full-time and part-time students. Residents of California are charged only $46 per unit. At Palomar, students may choose from over 300 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning. Palomar College is one of 108 colleges in the California Community Colleges system and eight in San Diego County. Located in San Marcos, California, our 200-acre main campus is nestled at the foot of the region's rolling coastal hills and valleys in a lovely area once named Los Vallecitos de San Marcos (Little Valleys of St. Mark) by Spaniard settlers in 1797. In addition to our main campus in San Marcos, we operate an educational center in Escondido, and five smaller centers throughout north San Diego County, in Rancho Penasquitos, Fallbrook, Ramona, Pauma Valley, and Camp Pendleton. Palomar College offers more than 300 Associates Degree and certificate programs, as well as not-for-credit community development and personal enrichment classes for life-long learning. We have transfer agreements with the California State University and University of California systems, and our high-level coursework in transferable classes fully prepares our students for success at four-year colleges and universities. In fact, Palomar students who transfer perform better in their first year at a four-year college than students from other community colleges. Our five academic divisions are: Arts, Media, Business and Computer Systems; Career, Technical and Extended Education; Languages and Literature; Mathematics and The Natural and Health Sciences; and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Palomar College serves as a cultural hub of north San Diego County. Our 400-seat Howard Brubeck Theatre is the scene of highly-regarded dramatic, dance, and musical productions throughout the year. Palomar College has nearly two dozen athletic teams in about one dozen sports, including men's and women's basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, swimming, water polo, and cross country. Palomar College is an educational leader committed to quality learning. We provide our community the knowledge, information, skills, and aesthetic appreciation necessary to live responsibly, effectively, and creatively in an interdependent and changing world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Palomar College cost?
Palomar College's tuition is approximately $1,336 for In-State students and $7,386 for Out-State students.
What sports does Palomar College offer?
Palomar College offers 13 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling.
What is Palomar College's ranking?
Palomar College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 21,141 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,336
  • Out-state tuition: $7,386
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 61%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For San Diego County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,283 per year for in-state students and $6,392 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

San Diego County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.61, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in San Diego County, CA is California College San Diego. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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