UC Berkeley vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Palomar College based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 19,550 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Palomar College 25:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Palomar 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 UC Berkeley ($8,372 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Berkeley are 8% lower than at Palomar College ($23,750 vs. $25,804).
• University of California Berkeley is 1,107.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palomar College (about $14,993 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $1,354.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 374.6% higher at UC Berkeley than at Palomar College (about $39,897 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $10,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at University of California Berkeley (81% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 495.5% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($29,608 vs. $4,972).

UC Berkeley vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Palomar 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 Palomar College and UC Berkeley.

• Palomar College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Palomar College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.

UC Berkeley vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Palomar 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 University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $35,000 more per year than Palomar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $7,200 lower median loan debt than UC Berkeley graduates ($7,000 vs. $14,200).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Berkeley graduates ($72 vs. $146).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.