Fact Sheet

The College: Palomar College is a public two-year community college. Founded in 1946, it is one of 107 colleges in the California Community Colleges system. The college employs more than 1,500 persons, including full-time and part-time staff. The unrestricted, general fund budget in 1999-2000 was $71.6 million. The restricted funds budget was $17 million. The college generates over $100 million each year for the North County economy. The main telephone number is (760) 744-1150, and the website address is http://www.palomar.edu. (Admissions Office: extension 2160)

Students: Palomar enrolls approximately 27,000 full-time and part-time students in the fall and spring semesters and approximately 15,000 during the summer session. Residents of California are charged only $11 per unit to attend one of the state's public community colleges. The tuition for nonresidents in 1999-2000 is $130 per unit. Anyone 18 years of age or older is eligible for admission. Persons younger than 18 may enroll with special permission. Students may choose from 130 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree, and enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning at Palomar. The college provides a "second chance" for those who did not complete a high school diploma or pursue higher education in the past. The average age of Palomar students is around 30, with many older and many younger students. A majority of Palomar students are employed either part-time or full-time. (See the College catalog for program details.)