Palomar College: programs, outcomes and local jobs

Palomar College at a glance

• 17,712

  students enrolled

• 4,644

  degrees and certificates a year

• 38%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $5,763

  average net price a year

  Tuition $1,288 in state, $10,584 out of state

• $37,220

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $42,300

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  79% working

What students study

AI and data programs

Palomar College reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024. A new program with no graduates yet would not appear here.

The job market around Palomar College

Professional jobs listed in the cities of San Diego County, where the college is.

Layoff notices in San Diego CountyCalifornia layoff noticesCalifornia rapid response

• 4,392

  open professional jobs

• 357

  entry level

  19 say no experience is needed

• 10%

  ask for AI skills

  428 jobs

• 4.9%

  unemployment in San Diego County

  2026-08 · down 0.2 points from a year earlier

• $102,285

  median household income

  San Diego County

• 47%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 3.3% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in business & management, health professions, social sciences, which lead to finance (361 open), sales (303 open), operations (442 open), marketing (137 open), human resources (112 open), strategy (24 open).

Hiring most: General Atomics (376), Qualcomm Inc/De (285), Neurocrine Biosciences (100), Northrop Grumman (96), Qualcomm Technologies (91), Viasat (84), Apple (77), Intuit (73).

What they hire for: Engineering (1,473), Operations (442), Finance (361), Sales (303), Data & Analytics (271), Legal (216). Engineering jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: San Diego Workforce Development Board.

• America`s Job Center of California-North County Coastal Career CenterOceanside · 760-666-6763 · Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• East County Career CenterEl Cajon · 619-319-9675 · Monday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm
• Metro Career CenterSan Diego · Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• North County Coastal Career CenterOceanside · Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• South Bay Career CenterChula Vista · 619-319-9675 · Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5 :00p.m.

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in California

• Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo · 17,684 students
• Sacramento City CollegeSacramento · 17,657 students
• City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco · 17,348 students
• Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga · 18,132 students
• Fullerton CollegeFullerton · 17,121 students
• Riverside City CollegeRiverside · 18,346 students

All California colleges

Common questions

How big is Palomar College?

Palomar College enrolls about 17,712 students and is a public 2-year institution in San Marcos, California. It awards about 4,644 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at Palomar College?

38% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do Palomar College graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $37,220 six years after entry and $42,300 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does Palomar College offer AI or data science degrees?

Palomar College reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024 (IPEDS completions). A new program with no graduates yet would not appear.

Are there jobs near Palomar College?

4,392 open professional jobs are listed in San Diego County, 357 of them entry level and 19 saying no experience is needed. General Atomics has the most openings.