Palomar College vs. San Bernardino Valley College

Comparable Facts

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

Palomar College is larger than San Bernardino Valley College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 14,055 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Palomar College vs. San Bernardino Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palomar College or San Bernardino Valley 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 San Bernardino Valley College ($8,372 vs. $19,091).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Bernardino Valley College are 22.5% lower than at Palomar College ($20,000 vs. $25,804).
• Palomar College is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Bernardino Valley College (about $158 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,196.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35% higher at San Bernardino Valley College than at Palomar College (about $3,732 more per year; $14,382.00 vs. $10,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at San Bernardino Valley College (81% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palomar College students is 33.1% larger than aid received by San Bernardino Valley College students ($4,972 vs. $3,735).

Palomar College vs. San Bernardino Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palomar College or San Bernardino Valley 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 San Bernardino Valley College and Palomar College.

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

Palomar College vs. San Bernardino Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palomar College and San Bernardino Valley 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 $7,800 more per year than San Bernardino Valley College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $31,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Palomar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Bernardino Valley College students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 28%)

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.