Cabrillo College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

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

Palomar College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College ($8,372 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cabrillo College are 2% lower than at Palomar College ($25,281 vs. $25,804).
• Palomar College is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $84 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Palomar College than at Cabrillo College (about $788 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Palomar College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cabrillo College students is 12.6% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,600 vs. $4,972).

Cabrillo College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; Palomar College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Palomar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($7,000 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($72 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 30%)

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.