Career Training Path › California › Palomar College
Palomar College
San Marcos, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 · Phone: (760) 744-1150 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Palomar College is a public trade and career school in San Marcos, California, offering EMT & paramedic training, electrician schools, and welding schools, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Palomar College's completion rate is 37.5%, below the state average of 64.2%, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $42,300, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Palomar College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 18.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,740 | $46,380 | $59,180 |
| Electricians | $46,800 | $76,160 | $103,000 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,520 | $58,060 | $70,400 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
| Dental assistants | $38,790 | $50,110 | $60,670 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $47,180 | $73,950 | $84,740 |
| Machinists | $37,440 | $57,190 | $74,210 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 216 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 65 | not reported | $84,691 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 64 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 31 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Palomar College is a public trade and career training campus in San Marcos, California. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here (Title IV eligible), and the school holds accreditation through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Across 22 program offerings, the campus awards the most credentials in EMT & paramedic training, electrician training, and welding, alongside programs in construction trades, dental assisting, auto mechanics, diesel mechanics, and CNC machining.
Looking at the numbers: Palomar's completion rate is 37.5%, which falls below the state average of 64.2%. Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $42,300. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 18.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment among the school's 17,712 undergraduates.
With a large program count spanning short-term certificates like EMT training to longer trades like electrician and welding programs, Palomar suits a range of students, from those seeking quick entry credentials to those pursuing more extensive technical training. The suburban location and diverse program mix may appeal to career changers, though program length details are not stated here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Palomar College offers 22 programs, with the most completers in EMT & paramedic training, electrician schools, and welding schools. It also offers programs in construction trades, dental assisting, auto mechanics, diesel mechanics, and CNC machining.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Palomar College is accredited. Its primary accreditor is the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Palomar College is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
Palomar College's completion rate is 37.5%, which is below the state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (760) 744-1150 or visit the College Scorecard link for more information.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $42,300, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Palomar College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition costs for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length details are not reported in the data provided. Contact the school directly to confirm program duration for specific trades.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?120971, or by contacting Palomar College directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter certificate programs, like EMT training, and longer trade programs, like electrician and welding, which may suit varying needs; however, specific adult learner accommodations are not detailed in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Palomar College by phone at (760) 744-1150 or visit their website at https://www2.palomar.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard for side-by-side comparisons.
Other trade and career schools in San Marcos, CA
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- Palomar Institute of CosmetologySan Marcos, CA · 89% completion
- Ivy League Barber AcademySan Marcos, CA · state-licensed school
- San Marcos Unified School District | Transportation DepartmentSan Marcos, CA
- UEI College-OceansideOceanside, CA · 69% completion
- Vista Adult SchoolVista, CA · community college
- MiraCosta CollegeOceanside, CA · college
- Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, CA · 41% completion
See all trade and career schools in California or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.