Palomar College vs. Ventura College

Comparable Facts

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

Palomar College is larger than Ventura College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 12,222 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palomar College is located in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting); Ventura College is in Ventura, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ventura College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palomar College 25:1; Ventura College 29:1.

Palomar College vs. Ventura College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palomar College or Ventura 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 Ventura College than Palomar College ($2,522 vs. $8,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ventura College are 14.4% lower than at Palomar College ($22,086 vs. $25,804).
• Ventura College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palomar College (about $72 more per year; $1,426.00 vs. $1,354.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at Palomar College than at Ventura College (about $1,035 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $9,615.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ventura College than at Palomar College (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ventura College students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($6,376 vs. $4,972).

Palomar College vs. Ventura College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palomar College or Ventura 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 Ventura 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; Ventura College - Open admission.

Palomar College vs. Ventura College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palomar College and Ventura 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 $1,800 more per year than Ventura College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Ventura College graduates ($7,000 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ventura College graduates ($72 vs. $108).
• More Ventura College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (33% 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.