Palomar College vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

Compare Palomar College in San Marcos, CA with Norco College in Norco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palomar College is larger than Norco College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 11,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palomar College is located in San Marcos, CA (Small City setting); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Palomar College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palomar College 25:1; Norco College 29:1.

Palomar College vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palomar College or Norco College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Palomar College than Norco College ($8,372 vs. $8,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palomar College are 3.5% lower than at Norco College ($25,804 vs. $26,740).
• Norco College is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palomar College (about $74 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,354.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at Norco College than at Palomar College (about $1,848 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $10,650.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College as at Norco College (81% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norco College students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Palomar College students ($5,343 vs. $4,972).

Palomar College vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palomar College or Norco College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Norco College and Palomar College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palomar College - Open admission; Norco College - Open admission.

Palomar College vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palomar College and Norco College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Norco College graduates ($7,000 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Norco College graduates ($72 vs. $82).
• More Norco College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.