Monterey Peninsula College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, 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 Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College ($8,372 vs. $14,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palomar College are 26.5% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($25,804 vs. $35,118).
• Palomar College is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than Monterey Peninsula College (about $166 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,188.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Palomar College than at Monterey Peninsula College (about $78 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College than at Palomar College (85% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,088 vs. $4,972).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission; Palomar College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula 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 $800 more per year than Monterey Peninsula College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Monterey Peninsula College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (31% 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.