C
Average
Score: 49/100

College of the Desert

2-Year Public
📍 Palm Desert, California 92260
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 29%
Outcomes
C
47/100
Affordability
B+
74/100
Resources
C
52/100
Experience
D
39/100
Prestige
D
32/100

Quick Stats

10,764
Total Enrollment
29%
Graduation Rate
67%
Retention Rate
25.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
N/A
Acceptance Rate
$14,391
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near College of the Desert

73% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 7,804 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$578,452
Avg Monthly Rent
$2,450
1-Year Change
-2.0%
For parents & investors

The College of the Desert Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $578,452
  • Avg rent near campus: $2,450/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 92210 (4.9% cap, Indian Wells)

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🏆 Where College of the Desert Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#13
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General
of 22 schools
#27
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other
of 35 schools
#30
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician
of 81 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $1,288 $9,548

Financial Aid

86%
Receive Any Aid
55%
Receive Pell Grants
0%
Take Out Loans
$14,391
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$10,791
$30,001 - $48,000$11,894
$48,001 - $75,000$13,598
$75,001 - $110,000$16,462
$110,001+$18,265

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies 1,085 grads/yr Early Childhood Education and Teaching 385 grads/yr Child Care Provider/Assistant 367 grads/yr Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician 281 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 167 grads/yr Humanities/Humanistic Studies 154 grads/yr Psychology, General 140 grads/yr Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General 129 grads/yr Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other 125 grads/yr Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician 109 grads/yr Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 97 grads/yr Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration 88 grads/yr Education, Other 65 grads/yr Sociology, General 54 grads/yr Business/Commerce, General 39 grads/yr Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General 37 grads/yr Pharmacy Technician/Assistant 35 grads/yr Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 34 grads/yr Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General 34 grads/yr Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping 33 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from College of the Desert's top programs commonly pursue.

Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78k/yr 183,400 jobs
Education teachers, postsecondary
$72k/yr 74,900 jobs
Elementary school teachers, except special education
$62k/yr 1,422,700 jobs
Kindergarten teachers, except special education
$61k/yr 117,200 jobs
Preschool teachers, except special education
$37k/yr 555,100 jobs
Childcare workers
$32k/yr 991,600 jobs
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77k/yr 67,300 jobs
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$60k/yr 425,200 jobs

Student Demographics

10,764
Total Students
57%
Women
58%
Traditional Age (18-24)
73%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 14%
Hispanic 76%
Black 2%
Asian 3%
Two or More 3%
Non-Resident 1%

🏠 Living Arrangements

Off-Campus (Renters) 73%
With Family 28%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~7,804 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 31%
Hybrid (Some Online) 35%
Fully Online 34%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 58%
25-64 (Adult) 29%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at College of the Desert?
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution. Many schools with open enrollment or specialized programs do not report traditional acceptance rates.
How much does it cost to attend College of the Desert?
Tuition at College of the Desert is $1,288 for in-state students and $9,548 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $14,391.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Desert?
The graduation rate at College of the Desert is 29%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is College of the Desert a good school?
College of the Desert has a Repit College Score of 49/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (B+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (D): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend College of the Desert?
College of the Desert has a total enrollment of 10,764 students.
Is there rental demand near College of the Desert?
Yes! Approximately 73% of students at College of the Desert live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 7,804 students who need rental housing near campus. This represents significant rental demand, which affects housing availability and pricing in the Palm Desert area.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for College of the Desert — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to College of the Desert

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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology