At a Glance
Palomar College is a large public community college in San Marcos, CA. Approximately 17,712 undergraduates are enrolled. The campus sits in a beach town, just 9 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 89/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Location
San Marcos, CA
Campus Identity
Palomar College is a large public community college in San Marcos, CA. Approximately 17,712 undergraduates are enrolled. The campus sits in a beach town, just 9 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 89/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Campus Lifestyle
Palomar College is a 10,000–19,999, suburban school. The campus is 9 miles from Tamarack Beach, CA and 75 miles from Snow Valley Mountain Resort.
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Suburban setting
Beach Access
9 miles
Tamarack Beach, CA
Weather
Warm Climate
61°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Palomar College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Valley Mountain Resort, 75 miles away with 12 lifts and 240 skiable acres. All are within 77 miles of campus.
California
California
California
Beach Town
Students at Palomar College are 9 miles from Tamarack Beach, CA, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.
Tamarack Beach, CA
Ocean access within 9.3 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · San Marcos, CA
San Marcos has a mild climate, with winters averaging 56°F in Dec and summers peaking around 71°F in Aug.
Station: CARLSBAD MCCLELLAN PALOMAR Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Palomar College in CA earns a composite safety score of 89/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,354 | $10,650 |
| Fees | $56 | $56 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $1,410 | $10,706 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
146 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Palomar College located?
Palomar College is located in San Marcos, CA. The main campus address is 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA. It is a public institution offering 2-year associate degree programs.
How many students attend Palomar College?
Palomar College enrolls 17,712 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend Palomar College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Palomar College charges $1,354/year for in-state students and $10,650/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $9,940/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $5,763/year — what students actually pay. Use Palomar College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Is Palomar College the right fit for me?
Whether Palomar College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions requirements, avg net price ($5,763/year after aid), campus culture in San Marcos, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Palomar College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Palomar College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- San Marcos, CA
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Certificates
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 61°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 89/100
- Nearest Airport
- Carlsbad, CA (CLD) · 6 mialso OCN (11 mi), NKX (20 mi)