Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
San Marcos , CA
Palomar College is a comprehensive public community college located in San Marcos, California. Established in 1946, it serves the educational needs of approximately 30,000 students annually. The college offers more than 250 associate degree and certificate programs across a wide range of disciplines, including arts and humanities, business, health sciences, social sciences, and STEM fields.
With a mission to provide accessible, high-quality education and support student success, Palomar College offers a supportive learning environment and cutting-edge facilities. The college boasts state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, studios, and computer centers that cater to the diverse needs of its students. Additionally, Palomar College is known for its dedicated faculty who are experienced professionals in their respective fields and are committed to student-centered teaching and mentorship.
Palomar College also provides a vibrant campus life with various extracurricular activities and organizations available for students to engage in. These include student clubs, cultural events, art exhibitions, athletic teams, and opportunities for community service. The college is known for its strong athletic program, with its intercollegiate teams participating in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. Palomar College is not only a launching pad for academic success but also a community that fosters personal growth and development.
Palomar College is a public two-year college with graduate programs located in San Marcos, CA and set in a suburban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 100%. The freshman retention rate at Palomar College is 70%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Palomar College.
Quick Facts
19,550
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
25:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential information you should know about admission at Palomar College.
In 2021, the school accepted 5,467 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2021, the freshman retention rate for Palomar College was 70%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Palomar College in 2021 was 19,550.
The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 19,550, 132 of which were international students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,411 male and 3,032 female full-time students in 2021.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2021, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 967, and the number of African American students was 501. 7,843 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 959 identified with more than one race. The school also had 74 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 73 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 180 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Palomar College? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $1,380 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $12,450 in 2021. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $12,450, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $64 in 2021.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $12,450 | $64 | $12,514 |
| In-State | $1,380 | $64 | $1,444 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. Most students have to pay about $1,090 for books and supplies during their time at Palomar College.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2021, the price of room and board at Palomar College was $25,984 per academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 1,380 |
| Room and Board | $ 25,984 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,090 |
| Total Expense | $ 28,454 |
Majors
Faculty
25:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2021, this ratio at Palomar College was 25:1. That means that there were 25 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 880. This number included 445 men and 435 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Palomar College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Palomar College.
Its campus spans 200 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 40. The student organization that is most favored by students is MEChA (Chicano organization), followed by Student Veterans Organization and Active Minds. Other popular organizations among the students at Palomar College are Alpha Omega Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (international honor society) and SNAP (Student Nursing Association of Palomar College).
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Palomar College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Palomar College, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Palomar College.
All in all, campus life at Palomar College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Palomar College.
Career Counselling
At Palomar College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
Palomar College is located in San Marcos, CA.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for Palomar College is 100%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Palomar College is 70%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
