Gas prices continue to affect college students and Palomar College students are no exception. For many students, the cost of driving to campus has become another financial pressure on top of tuition, textbooks and housing.
Recent increases in gas prices across San Diego County are making the daily commute more expensive for students balancing school and living costs
According to recent article by KPBS, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in San Diego County has climbed above $5, the highest level since late 2023.
Gas prices in San Diego have climbed for more than three consecutive weeks, with sharp increases over the past month, according to NBC 7 San Diego. The surge is driven by rising oil prices linked to global tensions, including conflict involving Iran, which has raised concerns about supply.
The trend is affecting drivers across California, as ongoing geopolitical instability and supply disruptions continue to push fuel costs higher.
For students, those price changes can quickly affect a weekly budget.
Students travel from across North County such as Oceanside, Vista and Escondido. For students driving to campus several days a week, filling up a tank of gas can become a regular expense.
One Palomar student who commutes four days a week from Escondido said they fill up about every two weeks, spending close to $100 per tank. With gas near $6 per gallon for premium fuel, even a standard 15- to 17-gallon tank can become a significant expense.
Transportation costs may not be the first thing students think about when planning for college. But for commuter campuses like Palomar, it is often a major part of daily student life.
One option available to students is public transportation. The San Marcos campus has a transit center and a train station located directly in front of the campus on Mission Road. This station connects students to the regional transit system, including the SPRINTER train and BREEZE, which run throughout North County.
Palomar students can also purchase discounted transit passes through the PRONTO program. Students with a valid activity card which costs about $15 can buy a monthly SPRINTER train and BREEZE pass through their MyPalomar account or in person at the San Marcos cashier’s office for about $57.60.
For some students, that monthly cost may be more manageable than paying for gas multiple times a month. For example, filling up a 15-gallon tank at around $5.808 — according to the report from NBC San Diego per gallon would cost more than $87 for just one tank, and many students need to refill more than once per month.
Public transportation may not work for everyone. Students with long commutes, limited route access or safety concerns.
Still, as gas prices continue to fluctuate, transit options offer an alternative for students trying to reduce transportation costs.
The rising cost of gas is becoming more than just a headline. It is becoming part of the everyday reality of getting to class. For more information, visit the Palomar College website.