Top RankingsOverviewStudent BodyTuition and Acceptance RateSportsExtracurricularsSchool NotesFrequently Asked QuestionsNearby SchoolsEdit School Profile
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 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
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)
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 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
21,141 students
7,899 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
7,001 students
1,660 students
# Part-Time Students
14,140 students
6,239 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
143 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
7,001 students
1,580 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
14,140 students
6,239 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
7%
14%
% Hispanic
42%
45%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
39%
26%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Non Resident races
2%
3%
% Unknown races
2%
3%
Diversity Score
0.66
0.70
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
31%
35%
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
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,336 is more than the state average of $1,246. 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 $6,603. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,336
$1,246
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,386
$6,603
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
81%
86%
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,500
$10,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$3,500
$6,239
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.
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.
Going to college is hard work but it’s even more challenging for nontraditional students who are working or raising a family at the same time. If you’re considering community college to improve your life or further your career, here’s everything you need to know.
Explore the intricacies of dual enrollment, a growing educational trend that allows high school students to earn college credits. This comprehensive guide delves into its history, eligibility requirements, benefits, and drawbacks, offering valuable insights for both parents and students considering this path.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
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)
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.
