Palomar vs Santiago Canyon College
Palomar College and Santiago Canyon College, both esteemed community colleges in California, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking higher education. While they share similarities, each institution possesses unique characteristics that cater to different academic aspirations and preferences. Palomar College boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while Santiago Canyon College maintains a slightly more selective admissions process. In terms of academic offerings, Palomar College excels in the fields of Liberal Arts and Humanities, while Santiago Canyon College shines in the areas of Business and Engineering. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two exceptional colleges, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program highlights, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Palomar College |
![]() Santiago Canyon College |
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Overview |
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Location | San Marcos, California | Orange, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 66.0% | 72.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | Not required |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,408
Out of state:
$38,004
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In state:
$25,512
Out of state:
$33,120
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Average net price | $6,659 | $5,879 |
Tuition |
In state:
$1,288
Out of state:
$9,884
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In state:
$1,104
Out of state:
$8,712
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Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
79.0%
Average amount $4,544 |
73.0%
Average amount $4,946 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
0.0%
Average amount $2,598 |
1.0%
Average amount $3,715 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
17,566
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
12,159
Men 66.7% Women 33.3% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 6.7% | 6.0% |
International students | 0.6% | 0.6% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California | California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 22:1 | 37:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 29.1% | 43.8% |
Dropout rate | 46.1% | 32.6% |
Transferred out | 10.8% | 10.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Social Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
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N/A |
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