Public · Mostly certificates · Large suburb

Palomar College

San Marcos, California. 17,712 undergraduates.

California colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
41%Graduation rate30 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$1,839Average net price per year90% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$48,110Median earnings 10 years after starting32% above the national median for similar colleges ($36,576)
$6,525Median debt at graduation31% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,500)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($6,525) equals 14% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($48,110). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$1,247
$48,001–$75,000$2,128
$75,001–$110,000$6,681
Over $110,000$7,891

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $1,356 in-state, $11,688 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate41%71%
Return for second year70%77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$41,712$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$48,110$36,576
Median debt at graduation$6,525$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

122 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing68$32,449$107,589$10,626
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities278$25,399$78,768—
Social Sciences, General240—$56,345—
Business Administration, Management and Operations196$40,881—$5,500
Biological and Physical Sciences290$17,284——
Architectural Sciences and Technology10———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies4———
Communication and Media Studies27———
Journalism5———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication30———
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication5———
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians3———
Graphic Communications6———
Computer and Information Sciences, General18———
Computer Science18———
Computer Software and Media Applications6———
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications6———
Education, General11———
Special Education and Teaching22———
Engineering, General3———
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians13———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians13———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services2———
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics2———
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics22———
American Sign Language14———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services3———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services14———
Apparel and Textiles6———
Non-Professional Legal Studies2———
English Language and Literature, General31———
Library and Archives Assisting6———
Biology, General55———
Mathematics77———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness5———
Philosophy2———
Chemistry11———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences1———
Psychology, General102———
Criminal Justice and Corrections31———
Fire Protection37———
Homeland Security5———
Security Science and Technology5———
Human Services, General4———
Anthropology8———
Archeology1———
Economics9———
Geography and Cartography10———
Political Science and Government16———
Sociology50———
Carpenters1———
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection1———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians8———
Precision Metal Working10———
Woodworking5———
Visual and Performing Arts, General6———
Dance2———
Design and Applied Arts31———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft1———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts6———
Fine and Studio Arts9———
Music10———
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions5———
Health and Medical Administrative Services2———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions5———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions7———
Business/Commerce, General14———
Accounting and Related Services18———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services3———
Real Estate3———
History16———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in California

College of the SequoiasVisalia · net price $1,096 · grad rate 42%Cypress CollegeCypress · net price $759 · grad rate 41%Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa · net price $1,850 · grad rate 49%Merced CollegeMerced · net price $714 · grad rate 35%Citrus CollegeGlendora · net price $850 · grad rate 49%Cerritos CollegeNorwalk · net price $1,577 · grad rate 29%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Palomar College cost per year?
The average net price at Palomar College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $1,839 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Palomar College graduates earn?
Former Palomar College students earn a median of $48,110 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Palomar College?
41% of Palomar College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Palomar College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Palomar College is $6,525. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.