C of the Desert Academic Snapshot
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $1,326
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,174
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at C of the Desert:
- Total Enrollment: 12,861, including 4,122 online students
- All Undergraduate
- Gender Distribution: 43.4% men, 56.6% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 31%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 5%. Few students transfer out, suggesting most students remain through graduation.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 70%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 151 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 18 programs available fully online.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Associate's.
C of the Desert Overview
College of the Desert (C of the Desert) is a 2-4 year, public school located in Palm Desert, CA. It is classified as small Associate's college by Carnegie Classification
The C of the Desert's tuition & fees is $1,326 for California residents and $10,174 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 65% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $4,786.
The school has a total enrollment of 12,861 and the students to faculty ratio is 26 to 1 (3.85%).
College of the Desert is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of College of the Desert is $1,326 for in-state students and $10,174 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $1,326 for California residents and $10,798 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $1,326 | $10,174 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $1,326 | $10,798 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
College of the Desert offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for undergraduate programs.
Special Learning Opportunities at C of the Desert
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | No |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
College of the Desert Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing C of the Desert