Palomar College vs. West Los Angeles College

Comparable Facts

Compare Palomar College in San Marcos, CA with West Los Angeles College in Culver City, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palomar College is larger than West Los Angeles College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 9,255 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palomar College is located in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting); West Los Angeles College is in Culver City, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Los Angeles College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palomar College 25:1; West Los Angeles College 26:1.

Palomar College vs. West Los Angeles College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palomar College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College ($8,372 vs. $11,164).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Los Angeles College are 1.5% lower than at Palomar College ($25,407 vs. $25,804).
• Palomar College is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Los Angeles College (about $116 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Palomar College than at West Los Angeles College (about $78 more per year; $10,650.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Los Angeles College than at Palomar College (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Los Angeles College students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,857 vs. $4,972).

Palomar College vs. West Los Angeles College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palomar College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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; West Los Angeles College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Los Angeles College Jun 1, 2027.

Palomar College vs. West Los Angeles College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palomar College and West Los Angeles 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 $4,000 more per year than West Los Angeles College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than West Los Angeles College graduates ($7,000 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Los Angeles College graduates ($72 vs. $98).
• More Palomar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Los Angeles College students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 26%)

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.