DMC vs. Palo Alto College

Comparable Facts

Compare Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX with Palo Alto College in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palo Alto College is larger than DMC based on total student enrollment (12,395 students vs. 10,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Del Mar College is located in Corpus Christi, TX (Large City setting); Palo Alto College is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Del Mar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palo Alto College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Del Mar College 12:1; Palo Alto College 31:1.

DMC vs. Palo Alto College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMC or Palo Alto 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 Del Mar College than Palo Alto College ($3,593 vs. $4,805).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Del Mar College are 40.3% lower than at Palo Alto College ($8,505 vs. $14,250).
• Palo Alto College is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than DMC (about $602 more per year; $5,542.00 vs. $4,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.5% higher at Palo Alto College than at Del Mar College (about $3,902 more per year; $9,952.00 vs. $6,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palo Alto College than at Del Mar College (92% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Del Mar College students is 30.8% larger than aid received by Palo Alto College students ($9,137 vs. $6,983).

DMC vs. Palo Alto College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DMC or Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto College and DMC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DMC - Open admission; Palo Alto College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: DMC Jun 1, 2027.

DMC vs. Palo Alto College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMC and Palo Alto 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 Del Mar College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Palo Alto College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,100 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Del Mar College graduates have a $1,221 lower median loan debt than Palo Alto College graduates ($4,279 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, DMC graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palo Alto College graduates ($44 vs. $56).
• More DMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palo Alto College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 38%)

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.