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College of the Desert

Palm Desert, California — 43-500 Monterey Ave, 92260

Annual Tuition $1,326
Enrollment 8,900
Acceptance Rate N/A
Median Salary $39,020

College of the Desert is a leading Public institution located in Palm Desert, California. Established to provide high-quality education, College of the Desert offers a range of programs and is recognized for its commitment to student success and academic excellence in the United States region.

College of the Desert Quick Facts
Federal Aid Approval 1/1/1966
Location Palm Desert, California
Type Public
Total Enrollment 8,900 students
Median Salary $39,020

College of the Desert — Institution Overview

Institution Name College of the Desert
Location Palm Desert, California
Official Website https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/
Address 43-500 Monterey Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Institution Type Public
Total Students 8,900

College of the Desert Admissions Process

Acceptance Rate Not Reported
Avg. SAT Score N/A
ACT Midpoint N/A

College of the Desert Tuition Fees and Costs

In-State Tuition $1,326
Out-of-State Tuition $9,586
Pell Grant Rate 32.4%

The Real Cost

Average net price after aid, grouped by household income.

Net price after aid

College of the Desert cost by family income

These are the average out-of-pocket costs after grants and scholarships, based on U.S. Department of Education reporting.

Family income $0 - $30,000 $10,791/yr
Family income $30,001 - $48,000 $11,894/yr
Family income $48,001 - $75,000 $13,598/yr
Family income $75,001 - $110,000 $16,462/yr

Low-income families under $30k pay an average of $10,791 per year. This band often benefits most from Pell Grants and institutional aid.

Calculate your personal aid

Opens the official Federal Student Aid Estimator.

Major Spotlight

Top programs by early-career earnings from this institution.

Top 3 by early salary

Based on median earnings two years after graduation from College of the Desert, using U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

1

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. salary after College of the Desert

Associate's Degree
Strong earning
2yr salary $73,446 median/yr
Median debt $13,806 at graduation
Salary/debt 532% ROI ratio
1yr: $91,848 4yr: $95,005
2

Criminal Justice and Corrections. salary after College of the Desert

Associate's Degree
Steady earning
2yr salary $37,208 median/yr
Median debt Not published program debt data
Salary/debt Salary-led debt data unavailable
1yr: $32,482 4yr: $48,240
3

Business Administration, Management and Operations. salary after College of the Desert

Associate's Degree
Steady earning
2yr salary $30,409 median/yr
Median debt $5,500 at graduation
Salary/debt 553% ROI ratio
1yr: $25,934 4yr: $31,622

Salary data reflects U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard reporting.

College of the Desert Acceptance Rate and Enrollment Statistics

Acceptance rate data is not reported for College of the Desert in the current Department of Education dataset.

Total Students 8,900
Full-Time Students 40.2%

Courses and Academic Programs at College of the Desert

10 programs
Program Name
Degree
Graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Associate's
Graduates 437
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Associate's
Graduates 335
Psychology, General.
Associate's
Graduates 333
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 219
Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Associate's
Graduates 194
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Associate's
Graduates 144
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Associate's
Graduates 121
Sociology.
Associate's
Graduates 119
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Associate's
Graduates 103
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Associate's
Graduates 87
Showing top 10 of 84 programs by graduates

Career Opportunities and Alumni Network at College of the Desert

Median Salary (10 yrs after entry) $39,020 U.S. Dept. of Education
Median (6 yrs) $31,085
Graduate Earnings Timeline — College of the Desert
Timeframe After Entry Median Earnings
6 Years After Entry $31,085
10 Years After Entry $39,020
Is College of the Desert Worth It? — ROI Analysis 2026
Average Net Price $11,812
Median Career Earnings (10 yrs) $39,020
3-Year Loan Repayment Rate 39500%

Campus Life and Student Facilities at College of the Desert

Total Students 8,900

Gender Breakdown

57.1%
42.9%
Women Men

Enrollment Type

Full-time 40.2%
Part-time
Full-time Part-time

Diversity & Ethnicity

Hispanic
76.1%
White
13.9%
Asian
2.9%
Two or More Races
2.8%
Black
2.5%
International
0.9%
Unknown / Unreported
0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.1%

Campus Demographics

🎂
Avg. Age at Entry 23
🎓
First-Generation 62.1%
🎖️
Veterans 0.8%
💍
Married Students 9.4%
📅
Students Age 25+ 29.2%

Student Economic Background

Median Household Income $50,445
Average Family Income $22,260
Median Family Income $19,994

Faculty Profile

Faculty Gender

46.1%
53.9%
Women Men
Student-Faculty Ratio 25:1 students per faculty member

Scholarships and Grants at College of the Desert

College of the Desert participates in federal financial aid programs. The data below is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education and reflects the most recently available award year. Students should contact the financial aid office directly for current scholarship opportunities, institutional grants, and merit-based awards.

Pell Grant Rate 32.4% of students
Federal Loan Rate 0.5% of students
Avg Net Price $11,812 after aid

Average Net Price by Family Income

Income Bracket Net Price / Year

Student Debt Overview

Cumulative Debt — 25th Percentile $2,058
Cumulative Debt — 75th Percentile $6,875

Financial aid availability, grant amounts, and scholarship criteria change each award year. Contact College of the Desert's financial aid office or visit the official website for current deadlines and eligibility requirements.

College of the Desert Rankings and Accreditation

Institution Type Public
Geographic Region United States
Title IV Federal Aid Approval 1/1/1966
Median Graduate Salary $39,020
Data Source U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard & IPEDS (2026)

Institutional accreditation status is maintained by regional and national accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Title IV approval (above) confirms College of the Desert meets eligibility requirements for federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study.

Housing and Campus Location for College of the Desert

Frequently Asked Questions about College of the Desert

What is the acceptance rate at College of the Desert?

Acceptance rate data for College of the Desert is not reported in the 2026 U.S. Department of Education dataset.

How much is tuition at College of the Desert?

Tuition at College of the Desert is $1,326 per year. Net price and financial aid options may reduce this cost significantly depending on individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for graduates of College of the Desert?

Graduates of College of the Desert earn a median salary of $39,020 per year, based on 2026 U.S. Department of Education earnings data.

Where is College of the Desert located?

College of the Desert is located at 43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, California 92260. The campus is situated in the United States region of the United States.