Modesto Junior College vs Palomar: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs in the CCCAA. Modesto Junior College lists $1,780 less in out-of-state tuition; Palomar graduates 8 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Modesto Junior College if…
- You would be in-state: Modesto Junior College is $84 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Palomar.
Lean Palomar if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Palomar graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than Modesto Junior College.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Modesto Junior College | Palomar |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $1,270 — Modesto Junior College leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $1,354 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $8,870 — Modesto Junior College leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $10,650 |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Modesto Junior College | Palomar |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 26% | 34% — Palomar leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $42,368/yr | $42,300/yr |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Modesto Junior College | Palomar |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 17,152 | 18,815 |
| Where it is | Modesto, CA | San Marcos, CA |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Modesto Junior College | Palomar |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Donnie Donaldson | Lacey Craft |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Modesto Junior College | Palomar |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges), so the scholarship rules are identical: varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Modesto Junior College
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Palomar
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Modesto Junior College vs Palomar: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Modesto Junior College or Palomar?
- Palomar, at 34% against 26% at Modesto Junior College (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Modesto Junior College and Palomar offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges): varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
- How do I contact the coaches at Modesto Junior College and Palomar?
- Palomar runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Modesto Junior College, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Modesto Junior College and Palomar accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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