Palomar College

Overview

Palomar College, a public community college located in San Marcos, California, offers a diverse array of academic opportunities within a suburban setting, approximately 30 miles north of San Diego. Founded in 1946, the institution has since grown to encompass multiple sites, with the San Marcos campus noted for its characteristic mid-century modern architecture. Serving a large and varied student body, Palomar College is known for its broad selection of associate degree programs and vocational certificates, particularly in fields like Nursing, Fire Science, and Media and Communication. While Palomar College maintains an open enrollment policy, providing educational access to all who meet the minimum requirements, certain specialized programs may have additional selection criteria. Although primarily a commuter institution, Palomar College recently introduced on-campus housing to support its students. The college does not have a notable presence in intercollegiate athletics.

Palomar College has an open admission policy which permits enrollment by any high school graduate or GED holding student.  5,541 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 12,114 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $1,288 plus fees of $60.