Merritt College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Merritt College in Oakland, 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 Merritt College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 7,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merritt College is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• Merritt College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merritt College 33:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Merritt College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merritt 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 Merritt College ($8,372 vs. $15,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merritt College are 11.6% lower than at Palomar College ($22,820 vs. $25,804).
• Palomar College is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merritt College (about $96 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,258.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Palomar College than at Merritt College (about $752 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at Merritt College (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by students is the same at Merritt College and Palomar College ($4,972).

Merritt College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

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

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

Merritt College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merritt 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 Merritt College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Palomar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Merritt College graduates ($7,000 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merritt College graduates ($72 vs. $118).
• More Palomar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merritt 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.