Bakersfield College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with Palomar College in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than Palomar College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 19,550 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Bakersfield College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or Palomar College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Palomar College than Bakersfield College ($8,372 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bakersfield College are 6.2% lower than at Palomar College ($24,192 vs. $25,804).
• Bakersfield College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palomar College (about $76 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,354.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Bakersfield College than at Palomar College (about $650 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $10,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bakersfield College than at Palomar College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bakersfield College students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,940 vs. $4,972).

Bakersfield College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or Palomar College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Palomar College and Bakersfield College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; Palomar College - Open admission.

Bakersfield College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and Palomar College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Palomar College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $1,955 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($7,000 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($72 vs. $92).
• More Palomar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.