College of the Desert Tuition & Completion (2026)
College of the Desert is a public community college in Palm Desert, California, with about 10,207 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $15,728 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $1,326. Student demographics in federal data include Hispanic or Latino (73.7%) and White (14.6%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $1,326
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,728 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 10,207 40.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 31.14%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
- First-Generation Students: 62.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 7.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 26.8%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,254
- Room & Board: $25,151 annual estimate
College of the Desert: what the data shows
Common questions about College of the Desert, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is College of the Desert?
College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA (ZIP 92260).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is College of the Desert public or private?
College of the Desert is a Public institution.
How much does College of the Desert cost?
Published tuition: $1,326 in-state, $10,174 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $15,728.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,872 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,071 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,137 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,621 |
| $110,001+ | $21,969 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $5,304.
How big is College of the Desert?
Total enrollment: 10,207 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 18,254 students.
About 40% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Desert?
150%-time completion rate: 31.14%.
First-year retention: 69.7%.
What do graduates of College of the Desert earn?
Median earnings: $31,085 six years after entry; $39,020 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
37.89% of students receive Pell grants.
What is College of the Desert known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (1,085 completions)
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching (385 completions)
- Child Care Provider/Assistant (367 completions)
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician (281 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (167 completions)
- Humanities/Humanistic Studies (154 completions)
- Psychology, General (140 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (129 completions)
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other (125 completions)
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (109 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is College of the Desert a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 31.14%; median earnings $39,020 at 10 years; net price $15,728. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$1,326
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at College of the Desert was $1,326.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,728
2024 Value
In 2024 College of the Desert had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,728.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$62,912 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,728 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$5,304 4-Year In-State Tuition
$40,696 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$25,151 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,062 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$27,539 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$110,156 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for College of the Desert.
Financial Aid by Income Level
37.89% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
1.03% 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 College of the Desert 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 College of the Desert 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 | $1,316 | $6,636 | $7,943 |
| 2014 | $1,316 | $6,832 | $7,893 |
| 2015 | $1,336 | $6,656 | $8,313 |
| 2016 | $1,327 | $6,926 | $8,092 |
| 2017 | $1,335 | $7,663 | $8,226 |
| 2018 | $1,335 | $8,615 | $9,284 |
| 2019 | $1,335 | $8,615 | $9,654 |
| 2020 | $1,383 | $8,943 | $12,571 |
| 2021 | $1,326 | $8,970 | $11,343 |
| 2022 | $1,326 | $9,138 | $11,041 |
| 2023 | $1,326 | $9,586 | $11,812 |
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
College of the Desert reported total enrollment of about 10,207 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (73.7%), White (14.6%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (3.1%). About 37.89% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 62.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
40.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at College of the Desert in 2024 is 10,207 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 18,254 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
69.7%
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 73.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
9.50% 100% Completion Time
31.14% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 9.50% of students graduating from College of the Desert completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 40% male / 60% female
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 5% male / 95% female
- Child Care Provider/Assistant: 5% male / 95% 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 College of the Desert.
Return on Investment
$39,020 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
520.23% Return on Investment
Financial value analysis for College of the Desert.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 93 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 1,085 completions
2. Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 385 completions
3. Child Care Provider/Assistant: 367 completions
4. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician: 281 completions
5. Business Administration and Management, General: 167 completions
6. Humanities/Humanistic Studies: 154 completions
7. Psychology, General: 140 completions
8. Health Professions and Related Programs: 129 completions
9. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other: 125 completions
Most popular programs at College of the Desert.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for College of the Desert graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for College of the Desert from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 26.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,882
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,467
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
College of the Desert is a public institution located in Palm Desert, CA, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Early Childhood Education & Teaching, Child Care Provider/Assistant. Enrollment is approximately 10,207 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (73.7%), White (14.6%), Race/ethnicity unknown (3.1%). The 150%-time completion rate is 31.14%. Approximately 37.89% of students receive Pell Grants. About 62.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
Location
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 31.14% graduation rate at College of the Desert falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 93 distinct degree programs, College of the Desert provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is College of the Desert located?
College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA.
How much does College of the Desert cost?
Reported tuition is $1,326 and average net price is $15,728 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $25,151 annually.
What is the student body demographics at College of the Desert?
College of the Desert reports undergraduate enrollment of about 18,254 students, Hispanic or Latino (73.7%), White (14.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend College of the Desert?
About 62.1% of students at College of the Desert are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of College of the Desert earn?
Median earnings are $31,085 six years after entry and $39,020 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Desert?
The 150%-time completion rate is 31.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
Is College of the Desert public or private?
College of the Desert is a public institution located in Palm Desert, CA.
Is College of the Desert an HBCU?
No. College of the Desert is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is College of the Desert a tribal college?
No. College of the Desert is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is College of the Desert a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—College of the Desert reports 73.7% Hispanic enrollment share.
Is College of the Desert religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for College of the Desert 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
- California college profile
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- California trade schools profile
- Palm Desert, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- California trade schools profile
- Palm Desert, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
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.