Highest earnings after college
Median earnings ten years after starting.
- 1California State University-San Marcos$62,908
- 2John Paul the Great Catholic University$56,930
- 3MiraCosta College$43,845
- 4Palomar College$42,300
College & student life
College guide to Carlsbad
Carlsbad college guide: MiraCosta College, Palomar College and more, with rankings, campus events, game days and study spots.
Colleges near Carlsbad
Pick a campus for its live schedule, game days and the best spots nearby.
MC5 mi away
Public college · Since 1934MiraCosta College10,000–19,999 students$7,339 net price · 41% graduate
7 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1946Palomar College10,000–19,999 students$5,763 net price · 38% graduate
8 mi awayPublic university · Since 1989California State University-San Marcos10,000–19,999 students$10,229 net price · 55% graduate
12 mi awayPrivate university · Since 2003John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityUnder 1,000 students$34,666 net price · 64% graduate
WTS15 mi away
Private college · Since 1979Westminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaUnder 1,000 students
College list from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS directory (NCES).
Games and campus events near Carlsbad
The next seven days at every college in this guide, updated daily from their own calendars.
How colleges near Carlsbad compare
Ranked on official College Scorecard figures: what graduates earn, what students pay after aid, and how many finish.
Best value
Median earnings per dollar of the average yearly net price.
- 1Palomar College7.3× net price
- 2California State University-San Marcos6.1× net price
- 3MiraCosta College6.0× net price
- 4John Paul the Great Catholic University1.6× net price
Most affordable
Average yearly net price after grants and scholarships.
- 1Palomar College$5,763
- 2MiraCosta College$7,339
- 3California State University-San Marcos$10,229
- 4John Paul the Great Catholic University$34,666
Highest graduation rates
Share of full-time students who finish within 150% of normal time.
Most selective
Lowest admission rates.
- 1John Paul the Great Catholic University80% admitted
- 2California State University-San Marcos95% admitted
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A college appears in a list only when the Department reports that figure for it; graduation rates compare four-year colleges.
Compare colleges near Carlsbad side by side
Size, cost after aid, graduation and earnings for every college in this guide. Tap a column to sort.
| College | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiraCosta CollegePublic college | 5 mi | 10,278 | $7,339 | Open | 41% | $43,845 |
| Palomar CollegeCommunity college | 7 mi | 17,712 | $5,763 | Open | 38% | $42,300 |
| California State University-San MarcosPublic university | 8 mi | 14,877 | $10,229 | 95% | 55% | $62,908 |
| John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityPrivate university | 12 mi | 286 | $34,666 | 80% | 64% | $56,930 |
| Westminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaPrivate college | 15 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A dash means the Department doesn't report that figure for the college.
Coffee and study spots
Local cafés and tea rooms for long afternoons with a laptop.
IB
Inglorious Bagels
RestaurantHF
Harbor Fish Cafe
RestaurantPF
Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe
RestaurantCB
Cherry Blossom Burmese Cafe & Sushi
RestaurantDA
Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery
RestaurantVK
Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe
American restaurant and bakeryOpen late
Kitchens and bars serving past 10 p.m.
C
Campfire
RestaurantSS
Same Same
RestaurantAH
American Heroes & Brew
RestaurantGR
Gregorio's Restaurant
RestaurantLV
Little Victory Wine Bar
RestaurantST
Sushi Taisho
RestaurantLP
Le Papagayo Carlsbad
RestaurantW
Wildland
RestaurantSS
Super Sushi
RestaurantMF
Mas Fina Cantina
RestaurantMore to do in Carlsbad
Concerts, markets, free events and game days, updated every day.