Chabot College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Chabot College in Hayward, 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 Chabot College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 12,842 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chabot College is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• Chabot College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chabot College 24:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Chabot College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chabot 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 Chabot College ($8,372 vs. $11,043).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chabot College are 10.6% lower than at Palomar College ($23,076 vs. $25,804).
• Palomar College is 17.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chabot College (about $204 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Palomar College than at Chabot College (about $1,964 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $8,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chabot College than at Palomar College (84% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chabot College students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,125 vs. $4,972).

Chabot College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chabot College - Open admission; Palomar College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chabot College Jul 30, 2027.

Chabot College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chabot 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 $100 more per year than Chabot College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Chabot College graduates ($7,000 vs. $8,875).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chabot College graduates ($72 vs. $91).
• More Chabot College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (35% 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.