College of the Desert Academic Overview

Academic Overview

College of the Desert is a public, 2-4 years institute located in Palm Desert, California. It is an Associate's - Public Rural-serving Small by Carnegie Classification and its highest degree is Associate's degree.

The 2025 tuition & fees is $1,326 for California residents and $10,174 for out-of-state students. The school offers only undergraduate programs and a total of 12,861 students are enrolled.

The salary after graduation from College of the Desert varies by major programs where the average earning after 10 years is $36,700. You can check the average salary by the major programs on the area of study page.

Explore College of the Desert

2025 Tuition & Fees

For undergraduate programs, for the academic year 2024-2025, C of the Desert's tuition & fees is $1,326 for California residents and $10,174 for non-residents.

more costs stats

Data source for 2025 Tuition: NCES, Last Update: March 12, 2024

2025 Tuition & Fees
	California Residents	Out-of-State
Undergraduate	$1,326	$10,174

[Chart] 2024-2025 Tuition & Fees

Key Academic Statistics

The following chart illustrates the 2025 key academic statistics at C of the Desert.

The average received amount of financial aid is $4,427 and 62% of undergraduate students received grants or scholarship aid. A total of 12,861 students is attending , and the student to faculty ratio is 26 to 1.

Graduation Rate for College of the Desert is 31 %

Graduation Rate

31%

Transfer-out Rate for College of the Desert is 5 %

Transfer-out Rate

5%

Retention Rate for College of the Desert is 70 %

Retention Rate

70%

Student Population for College of the Desert is 12,861

Student Population

12,861

Student to Faculty Ratio for College of the Desert is 26 to 1

Student to Faculty Ratio

26 to 1

The average received amount of financial aid is $4,427 at College of the Desert.

Financial Aid Amount

$4,427

Directory Information

Directory Information
Address	43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone	760-346-8041
WEB	www.collegeofthedesert.edu/
Admission	www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/admissions/
Online Application	www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/admissions/getting-started/online-application.php
Financial Aid	www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/fin-aid/default.php
Net Price Calculator	https://misweb.cccco.edu/npc/931/npcalc.htm
Veterans Tuition	www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/vet-services/default.php
Disability Service	www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/dsps/default.php

Offered Degrees

C of the Desert offers 151 major programs through online and on-site education where 18 programs are available through distance learning. The following table lists the number of programs by offered degree with online class availabilities.

all offered programs

Offered Major Programs
Award Level	Total Number of Programs	Available Online Class
Associate's	78	7
Less Than 12 Weeks Certificate	2	0
Less Than 1 Year Certificate	51	7
1-2 Years Certificate	20	4

Special Learning Opportunities

College of the Desert offers online education (distance learning opportunities) for undergraduate programs.

The school has study abroad - opportunity which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country programs to its students.

Special Learning Opportunities
Online Class	Undergraduate
ROTC	No
Weekend/Evening College	✗
Teacher Certification	✗
Study Abroad	✔
Campus Housing	✗
Board/Meal Plan	✔

Veterans Benefits

College of the Desert has programs, benefits and/or services to veterans, military service members, or their families.

Veterans Benefits
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)	✗
Credit for military training	✗
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service members, and their families	✔
Recognized student veteran organization	✔
Member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges	✗

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