Hartnell College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hartnell College in Salinas, 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 Hartnell College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 11,273 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• Hartnell College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hartnell College 22:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Hartnell College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell 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 Hartnell College than Palomar College ($5,246 vs. $8,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palomar College are 10.9% lower than at Hartnell College ($25,804 vs. $28,953).
• Hartnell College is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palomar College (about $50 more per year; $1,404.00 vs. $1,354.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Palomar College than at Hartnell College (about $276 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $10,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at Palomar College (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hartnell College students is 26% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($6,263 vs. $4,972).

Hartnell College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

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

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

Hartnell College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell 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 $3,400 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Palomar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 27%)

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.