Palomar College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

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

Palomar College is larger than San Diego Mesa College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 19,212 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Palomar College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palomar College or San Diego Mesa 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 Diego Mesa College ($8,372 vs. $10,316).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palomar College are 17.4% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($25,804 vs. $31,243).
• Palomar College is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa College (about $208 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Palomar College than at San Diego Mesa College (about $648 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at San Diego Mesa College (81% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 66% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($8,252 vs. $4,972).

Palomar College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palomar College or San Diego Mesa 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 Diego Mesa 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 Diego Mesa College - Open admission.

Palomar College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palomar College and San Diego Mesa 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 San Diego Mesa College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Palomar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Palomar College graduates ($4,500 vs. $7,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palomar College graduates ($46 vs. $72).
• More San Diego Mesa College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.