College of the Canyons vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA with Palomar College in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Palomar College is larger than College of the Canyons based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 18,075 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
• College of the Canyons is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Canyons 25:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Canyons are 14.4% lower than at Palomar College ($22,086 vs. $25,804).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at College of the Canyons than at Palomar College (about $308 more per year; $10,958 vs. $10,650).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Canyons than at Palomar College (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palomar College students is 8.2% larger than aid received by College of the Canyons students ($4,972 vs. $4,597).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both College of the Canyons and Palomar College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $3,197 lower median loan debt than College of the Canyons graduates ($7,000 vs. $10,197).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Canyons graduates ($72 vs. $105).
• More College of the Canyons graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation (36% vs. 30%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.