Palomar College vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Palomar College in San Marcos, CA with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palomar College is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palomar College is located in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palomar College 25:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Palomar College vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palomar College or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos ($8,372 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 45.2% lower than at Palomar College ($14,152 vs. $25,804).
• California State University San Marcos is 496.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palomar College (about $6,728 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $1,354.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.2% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Palomar College (about $10,032 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $10,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at California State University San Marcos (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 123.7% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($11,123 vs. $4,972).

Palomar College vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palomar College or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Palomar College.

• Palomar College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palomar College - Open admission; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

Palomar College vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palomar College and California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Palomar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $10,995 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($7,000 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($72 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.