Palomar College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Palomar College
Set between coastal breezes and foothill trails, Palomar College is known for clear transfer preparation and hands-on learning that sticks. Academics span the arts, science and tech, health, business, and public service, with a reputation for supportive faculty and practical projects. Facilities include a modern library, well-equipped labs and studios, a planetarium, and performance spaces. Students lean on tutoring, counseling, disability resources, and dedicated transfer and career centers, plus veteran-supportive services.
Campus life feels friendly and unpretentious. Clubs stay active, the Comets compete, and intramurals and fitness spaces keep things moving. Weekend hikes or beach runs are easy, and the North County community brings internships, apprenticeships, and part-time work with regional employers. Career prep shows up in portfolio reviews, job fairs, and mentorship that points you forward. Distinguishing touches like public planetarium shows and student arts showcases add a little spark.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Palomar College offers 104 degree programs across 30 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,584 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (3 programs, 1,323 graduates), Business (5 programs, 856 graduates), Social Sciences (8 programs, 363 graduates), Health (5 programs, 346 graduates) and Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 290 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (3 programs, 1,323 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 789 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 426 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24.0102 |
| Humanities Studies | 108 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0103 |
Business (5 programs, 856 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 750 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 69 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Real Estate | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.1501 |
| Business Administration | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0101 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 7 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0401 |
Social Sciences (8 programs, 363 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 240 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0101 |
| Sociology | 50 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 27 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
45.0702 |
| Political Science and Government | 16 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1001 |
| Archaeology | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
45.0301 |
| Economics | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 8 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
| Geography | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0701 |
Health (5 programs, 346 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technology | 232 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0904 |
| Registered Nursing | 68 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Dental Assisting | 20 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0601 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 19 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.1501 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | 7 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0716 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 290 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 290 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Security & Safety (6 programs, 219 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology | 90 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
43.0201 |
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 78 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
43.0203 |
| Criminal Justice Administration | 31 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0103 |
| Criminal Justice and Police Science | 10 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
43.0107 |
| Homeland Security | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0301 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0406 |
Human Sciences (5 programs, 120 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 99 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Apparel and Textile Marketing Management | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19.0905 |
| Family and Community Services | 5 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0707 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0501 |
| Child Care Management | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19.0708 |
Arts (14 programs, 108 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 21 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0407 |
| Interior Design | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
| Advertising and Commercial Art | 12 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0402 |
| Graphic Design | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0409 |
| Film and Media Studies | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0601 |
| Music | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0901 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0101 |
| Dance | 6 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0399 |
| Art Studies | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0701 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
50.0602 |
| Drawing | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0705 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0401 |
| Theatre Arts | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0501 |
| Jewelry Arts | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0713 |
Computer & IT (8 programs, 107 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 40 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0701 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 14 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1003 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0101 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 12 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0901 |
| Computer Graphics | 10 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0803 |
| Information Technology | 9 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0103 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 5 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0801 |
| Computer Programming | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0201 |
Eng. Technologies (7 programs, 106 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology | 38 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0506 |
| Drafting and Design Technology | 24 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.1301 |
| HVAC Engineering Technology | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0501 |
| Architectural Drafting and CAD | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.1303 |
| Mechanical Drafting and CAD | 9 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1306 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafting and CAD | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1305 |
| Quality Control Technology | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
15.0702 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Palomar College
How much does it cost to attend Palomar College?
The annual tuition at Palomar College is $1,354 for in-state students and $10,650 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,292 for in-state students and $11,588 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $23,076 (off-campus) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Palomar College offer?
Palomar College offers 104 academic programs across 30 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (3 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (8 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (5 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Palomar College?
Palomar College provides financial aid to 10% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $4,777 and average loans of $5,312.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,410
- State/Local grants: $2,114
- Federal loans: $5,312
The university supports 1,372 students with grants and 9 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Palomar College graduates?
Palomar College graduates earn a median salary of $37,220 after 6 years and $42,300 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $20,775 (25th percentile) to $65,187 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $74,500 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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