College of the Desert - Community College Profile

Academic Overview

College of the Desert is a 2-4 years, public school located in Palm Desert, California.

For the academic year 2023-2024, the tuition & fees are $1,326 for California residents and $10,174 for other students on average. It offers 124 degree programs through 54 Certificate, 70 Associate's programs. Of that, the distance learning opportunity is given to 40 programs (11 Certificate, 29 Associate's programs).

Directory Information and Key Academic Statistics
Type	2-4 years, public
Address	43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA
Phone	760-346-8041
Tuition & Fees (2023-2024) »	In-State$1,326 Out-of-State$10,174
Student Population »	12,861 Total Enrollment
Graduation Rate »	31%
Transfer-out Rate	5%
Retention Rate	70% (Full-time) 44% (Part-time)
Average Financial Aid »	$4,786
Students to Faculty	26:1 (3.85%)
Average Earning After 10 years of graduation	$36,700

2024 Tuition & Fees

The 2024 tuition & fees are $1,326 for California residents and $10,174 for out-of-state students at College of the Desert. Its tuition & fees are cheaper than the average tuition ($10,350) over public community colleges in California.

The following table shows the 2023-2024 tuition & fees, books & supplies, and living costs at College of the Desert. Then, we compare its costs to California community colleges and all U.S. community colleges. In addition, the chart shows the changes in tuition over the last 5 years.

Each cost is an average amount over the offered programs at the school. You can check more comprehensive tuition information on the cost of attendance page.

2024 Tuition & Fees

2024 Cost Of Attendance
	California Residents	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees	$1,326	$10,174
Books & Supplies	$938
Off-Campus Living Costs	$30,393
Average Financial Aid	$4,786
Cost of Attendance	$32,657	$41,505
After Financial Aid	$27,871	$36,719
Average Earning After 10 years of graduation	$36,700

Cost per Credit Hour

2024 Tuition & Fees and Comparison
	California Residents	Out-of-State Students
College of the Desert	$1,326	$10,174
Public Community Colleges in California	$1,672	$10,350
Public Community Colleges in U.S.	$5,207	$8,749

Offered Degrees/Programs By Area of Study

College of the Desert offers Certificate and Associate's programs. Of that, 40 programs can be conferred by distance learning - 11 Certificate, 29 Associate's. The following table summarizes the number of offered programs by degree types.

Total Number of Programs
	Certificate	Associate's	Bachelor's
Online Programs	11	29	NOT OFFERED
Total Programs	54	70	NOT OFFERED

The next tables list major programs with offered degrees and online availability. The number on each column denotes the conferred degree of the program.

The numbers include completers through on-campus classes and partially online classes as well as only online classes. Only in Classroom means that the program is offered only on-site classes and not offered denotes that the school does not offer the program.

You may want to see all schools offering a major program by following the link on the title of the program.

Agriculture

what is Agriculture program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Crop Production	NOT OFFERED	6 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations	4 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	5 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Turf and Turfgrass Management	5 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	6 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Natural Resources and Conservation

what is Natural Resources and Conservation program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Natural Resources/Conservation	NOT OFFERED	4 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Environmental Science	NOT OFFERED	2 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Architecture

what is Architecture program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Architectural Technology/Technician	2 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	3 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

what is Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Area Studies (other)	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Communication and Journalism

what is Communication and Journalism program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Speech Communication and Rhetoric	NOT OFFERED	23 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Mass Communication/Media Studies	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Journalism	NOT OFFERED	6 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Radio and Television	NOT OFFERED	16 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Computer and Information Sciences

what is Computer and Information Sciences program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Information Technology	NOT OFFERED	6 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Computer Science	NOT OFFERED	24 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Computer Graphics	NOT OFFERED	12 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications	NOT OFFERED	13 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Personal and Culinary Services

what is Personal and Culinary Services program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Cooking and Related Culinary Arts	NOT OFFERED	3 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Education

what is Education program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs	NOT OFFERED	17 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Elementary Education and Teaching	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Early Childhood Education and Teaching	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Teacher Assistant/Aide	2 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED

Engineering

what is Engineering program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Pre-Engineering	NOT OFFERED	2 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Engineering Technology

what is Engineering Technology program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician	NOT OFFERED	3 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Drafting and Design Technology/Technician	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Energy Management and Systems Technology/Technician	NOT OFFERED	2 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

what is Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Spanish Language and Literature	NOT OFFERED	6 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Work and Family Studies

what is Work and Family Studies program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Human Development and Family Studies	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Child Care and Support Services Management	6 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Child Care Provider/Assistant	26 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	43 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

English Language and Literature

what is English Language and Literature program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
English Language and Literature	NOT OFFERED	14 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Liberal Arts and Sciences, Humanities

what is Liberal Arts and Sciences, Humanities program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies	841 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	13 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Humanities/Humanistic Studies	NOT OFFERED	102 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

what is Biological and Biomedical Sciences program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Biology/Biological Sciences	NOT OFFERED	16 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Mathematics and Statistics

what is Mathematics and Statistics program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Mathematics	NOT OFFERED	12 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies

what is Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Biological and Physical Sciences	NOT OFFERED	27 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies (other)	NOT OFFERED	25 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies

what is Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Health and Physical Education/Fitness	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Kinesiology and Exercise Science	NOT OFFERED	21 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Philosophy and Religious Studies

what is Philosophy and Religious Studies program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Philosophy	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED

Physical Sciences

what is Physical Sciences program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Chemistry	NOT OFFERED	5 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Geology/Earth Science	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Physics	NOT OFFERED	8 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Psychology

what is Psychology program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Psychology	NOT OFFERED	145 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting

what is Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration	NOT OFFERED	65 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Criminal Justice/Police Science	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician	NOT OFFERED	9 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Social Sciences

what is Social Sciences program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Social Sciences	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Anthropology	NOT OFFERED	7 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Economics	NOT OFFERED	7 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Geography	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Political Science and Government	NOT OFFERED	18 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Sociology	NOT OFFERED	45 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Construction Trades

what is Construction Trades program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Building/Construction Site Management/Manager	NOT OFFERED	4 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Mechanics and Repairers

what is Mechanics and Repairers program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	NOT OFFERED	11 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Visual and Performing Arts

what is Visual and Performing Arts program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Visual and Performing Arts	NOT OFFERED	6 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Digital Arts	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Graphic Design	NOT OFFERED	5 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts	NOT OFFERED	7 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Cinematography and Film/Video Production	NOT OFFERED	3 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Art/Art Studies	NOT OFFERED	19 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Music	NOT OFFERED	3 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences

what is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Athletic Training/Trainer	NOT OFFERED	2 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (other)	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling	10 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	3 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse	NOT OFFERED	83 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training	NOT OFFERED	6 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

Business

what is Business program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
Business/Commerce	NOT OFFERED	15 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED
Business Administration and Management	NOT OFFERED	138 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Office Management and Supervision	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping	8 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	9 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED	NOT OFFERED
Hospitality Administration/Management	NOT OFFERED	1 completers ONLY IN CLASSROOM	NOT OFFERED

History

what is History program?

	Certificate	Associates	Bachelors
History	NOT OFFERED	11 completers ^{ONLINE / CLASSROOM}	NOT OFFERED

Student Population

There are 12,861 students at College of the Desert including both full-time and part-time students. By gender, 4,205 male students and 6,024 female students are attending the school.

The following table shows the total number of students by gender and attending status at the school. You can check more enrollment information of the school.

Student Population
	Total	Full-Time	Part-time
Total	10,229	3,727	6,502
Male Students	4,205	1,567	2,638
Female Students	6,024	2,160	3,864

Distance Learning (Online Degree/Program) Student Population

At College of the Desert, there are 10,382 students including in both full-time and part-time status. Of that, 7,646 students were attending classes through distance learning (4,078 students are enrolled exclusively and 3,568 are enrolled in some online courses) .

Distance Learning Enrollment Distribution
Total Enrollment	10,382
Enrolled Exclusively in Online Courses	4,078
Enrolled in Some But Not All Online Courses	3,568
Not Enrolled In Any Online Courses	2,736