MJC vs. Palomar College

Modesto Junior College and Palomar College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Modesto Junior College
Palomar College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: MJC. Average net price is $5,605 vs $8,372 at Palomar College.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MJC $34,000 vs Palomar College $39,700 (median).
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Key differences

Modesto Junior College Palomar College
Acceptance rate
MJC-
Palomar College-
SAT range (middle 50%)
MJC-
Palomar College-
Average net price
MJC $2,767 less
MJC$5,605
Palomar College$8,372
In-state tuition
MJC $72 less
MJC$1,282
Palomar College$1,354
Out-of-state tuition
MJC $1,386 less
MJC$9,264
Palomar College$10,650
Graduation rate
MJC-
Palomar College-
Median earnings (10 years)
Palomar College +$5,700
MJC$34,000
Palomar College$39,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • MJC -
  • Palomar College -
  • Admitted
  • MJC -
  • Palomar College -
  • Acceptance rate
  • MJC Open
  • Palomar College Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MJC Open
  • Palomar College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • MJC
  • Palomar College
  • Typical ACT score
  • MJC
  • Palomar College
  • Average high school GPA
  • MJC -
  • Palomar College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • MJC -
  • Palomar College -
  • Admissions standards
  • MJC Unavailable
  • Palomar College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • MJC
  • Palomar College
  • SAT range
  • MJC
  • Palomar College
  • ACT range
  • MJC
  • Palomar College
  • Submit test scores
  • MJC Open admission
  • Palomar College Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • MJC Jun 30, 2027
  • Palomar College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MJC $1,282
  • Palomar College $1,354
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MJC $9,264
  • Palomar College $10,650
  • Room & board
  • MJC $22,086
  • Palomar College $25,804
  • Average net price
  • MJC $5,605
  • Palomar College $8,372
  • Average grant aid
  • MJC $5,984
  • Palomar College $4,972
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MJC 73%
  • Palomar College 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • MJC -
  • Palomar College -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MJC $34,000
  • Palomar College $39,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • MJC -
  • Palomar College 30%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MJC N/A
  • Palomar College $7,000
  • Median loan payment
  • MJC N/A
  • Palomar College $72
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MJC 32:1
  • Palomar College 25:1
  • Popular majors
  • MJC
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
  • Palomar College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (36%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Business (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • MJC Modesto, CA
  • Palomar College San Marcos, CA
  • Setting
  • MJC Midsize City
  • Palomar College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • MJC 18,258
  • Palomar College 19,550
  • Type
  • MJC Public 2 Year
  • Palomar College Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • MJC
  • Palomar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Modesto Junior College in Modesto, 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 MJC based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 18,258 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Modesto Junior College is located in Modesto, CA (Midsize City setting); Palomar College is in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting).
  • Modesto Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Modesto Junior College 32:1; Palomar College 25:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Modesto Junior College are 14.4% lower than at Palomar College ($22,086 vs. $25,804).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Palomar College than at Modesto Junior College (about $1,386 more per year; $10,650 vs. $9,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at Modesto Junior College (81% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Modesto Junior College students is 20.4% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,984 vs. $4,972).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both MJC and Palomar College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027.

Loans and repayment

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

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