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Colleges / CA / San Marcos
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Palomar College

Public San Marcos, CA · Suburban · Far West · 80% data reported · Agent Insights
36%
Graduation Rate
$42,300
Earnings (10yr)
$5,763
Net Price
17,712
Enrollment

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Overview

Palomar College enrolls over 17,700 students, making it a significant player in San Marcos, California. The college supports a diverse range of programs, with top offerings in Humanities, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Criminal Justice. This variety attracts students looking for practical, career-oriented education.

The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Palomar College, but understanding the broader context of community colleges suggests that many students can improve their economic standing after graduation. While specific mobility rates are not provided, community colleges like Palomar often serve as gateways for upward mobility, especially for students from lower-income backgrounds.

The net price for attending Palomar College is approximately $5,763, which is relatively low. Graduates see a 10-year average earning of $42,300, indicating that many find stable employment after completing their studies. Students who thrive here are often those seeking affordable education pathways and practical skills for immediate job placement.

Rankings

How Palomar Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation36%Earnings 10yr$42KNet Price$6KRetention70%Pell Grant Rate18%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$4K$0-30K$5K$30-48K$8K$48-75K$13K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%1175.8%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%1767.2%MOBILITY207.78%

Cost & Financial Aid

$1,354
In-State Tuition
$10,650
Out-of-State
$5,763
Avg Net Price
18%
Pell Grant Rate
1%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$4,268
Family Income $0–$30K
$4,786
Family Income $30K–$48K
$7,710
Family Income $48K–$75K
$12,642
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$37,220
6 Years After Entry
$38,991
8 Years
$42,300
10 Years
47%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$37,220 6yr $38,991 8yr $42,300 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

207.78%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
1767.2%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
1175.8%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$73,500
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.16
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
0.11
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
3.9%
Volunteering Rate
0.93
Support Ratio
Community support

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

0.178%
Inventor Rate
56
Total Patents
132
Total Citations

Academics & Admissions

Retention Rate 70%
Full-Time Faculty 32%
Faculty Salary (mo) $13,495
Diversity Index 0.64
First-Gen Students 54%

Top Programs

Humanities 29%
Business & Marketing 19%
Social Sciences 8%
Health Professions 8%
Criminal Justice 5%
Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Computer Science & IT 2%
Psychology 2%

Quick Facts

Setting Suburban
Region Far West
Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Predominant Degree Certificate
Hispanic-Serving Yes

Student Body

Female
51%
White
32%
Hispanic
50%
Black
3%
Asian
6%

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard

Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card

Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

Opportunity Insights Patent Data

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