Palo Alto College Tuition, Demographics & Completion (2026)
Palo Alto College is a public community college in San Antonio, Texas, serving roughly 8,801 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $4,463 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $3,412. Student demographics in federal data include Hispanic or Latino (77.0%) and White (12.0%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $3,412
- 2024 Average Net Price: $4,463 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 8,801 21.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 32.96%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
- First-Generation Students: 63.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 12.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 49.6%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,028
- Room & Board: $14,250 annual estimate
Palo Alto College: what the data shows
Common questions about Palo Alto College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Palo Alto College?
Palo Alto College is located in San Antonio, TX (ZIP 78224-2499).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Palo Alto College public or private?
Palo Alto College is a Public institution.
How much does Palo Alto College cost?
Published tuition: $3,412 in-state, $9,952 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $4,463.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $3,680 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $4,373 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $6,248 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $7,376 |
| $110,001+ | $5,201 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $13,648.
How big is Palo Alto College?
Total enrollment: 8,801 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,028 students.
About 21% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Palo Alto College?
150%-time completion rate: 32.96%.
What do graduates of Palo Alto College earn?
Median earnings: $33,233 six years after entry; $37,448 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $13,393.
26.58% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Palo Alto College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- General Studies (975 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (112 completions)
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management (110 completions)
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General (87 completions)
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching (52 completions)
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services (50 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (44 completions)
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping (33 completions)
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant (32 completions)
- Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management (28 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Palo Alto College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 32.96%; median earnings $37,448 at 10 years; net price $4,463. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$3,412
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Palo Alto College was $3,412.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$4,463
2024 Value
In 2024 Palo Alto College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $4,463.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$17,852 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$4,463 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$13,648 4-Year In-State Tuition
$39,808 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$14,250 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$18,162 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$72,648 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Palo Alto College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
26.58% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
2.32% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Palo Alto College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Palo Alto College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $2,038 | $10,822 | $4,068 |
| 2014 | $2,088 | $10,740 | $5,214 |
| 2015 | $2,088 | $10,740 | $6,195 |
| 2016 | $2,188 | $11,274 | $6,342 |
| 2017 | $2,760 | $13,770 | $6,483 |
| 2018 | $2,820 | $13,830 | $3,754 |
| 2019 | $3,030 | $14,220 | $4,986 |
| 2020 | $3,112 | $14,122 | $5,601 |
| 2021 | $3,112 | $14,122 | $4,675 |
| 2022 | $3,262 | $14,272 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | $3,412 | $14,422 | $4,374 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Palo Alto College reported total enrollment of about 8,801 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (77.0%), White (12.0%), and Black or African American (5.9%). About 26.58% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 63.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
21.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Palo Alto College in 2024 is 8,801 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 20,028 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Hispanic or Latino at 77.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
15.79% 100% Completion Time
32.96% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 15.79% of students graduating from Palo Alto College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- General Studies: 34% male / 66% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 29% male / 71% female
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management: 66% male / 34% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Hispanic or Latino.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Palo Alto College.
Return on Investment
$13,393 Median Student Debt
$37,448 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
35.76% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1997.69% Return on Investment
3.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Palo Alto College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 18 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. General Studies: 975 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 112 completions
3. Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management: 110 completions
4. Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General: 87 completions
5. Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 52 completions
6. General Office Occupations and Clerical Services: 50 completions
7. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 44 completions
8. Landscaping and Groundskeeping: 33 completions
9. Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant: 32 completions
Most popular programs at Palo Alto College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Palo Alto College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Palo Alto College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 49.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,853
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,156
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Palo Alto College is a public institution located in San Antonio, TX, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were General Studies, Business Administration and Management, General, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. Enrollment is approximately 8,801 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (77.0%), White (12.0%), Black or African American (5.9%). The 150%-time completion rate is 32.96%. Approximately 26.58% of students receive Pell Grants. About 63.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
Location
San Antonio, TX 78224-2499
Region: Southwest
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 32.96% graduation rate at Palo Alto College falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Palo Alto College located?
Palo Alto College is located in San Antonio, TX.
How much does Palo Alto College cost?
Reported tuition is $3,412 and average net price is $4,463 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,250 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Palo Alto College?
Palo Alto College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 20,028 students, Hispanic or Latino (77.0%), White (12.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Palo Alto College?
About 63.8% of students at Palo Alto College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Palo Alto College earn?
Median earnings are $33,233 six years after entry and $37,448 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Palo Alto College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 33.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Palo Alto College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $13,393.
Is Palo Alto College public or private?
Palo Alto College is a public institution located in San Antonio, TX.
Is Palo Alto College an HBCU?
No. Palo Alto College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Palo Alto College a tribal college?
No. Palo Alto College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Palo Alto College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—Palo Alto College reports 77.0% Hispanic enrollment share.
Is Palo Alto College religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Palo Alto College in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Texas college costs
- Texas colleges by ROI
- Texas trade schools profile
- San Antonio, Texas city profile
- Southwest regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Texas
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.