At a Glance
College of the Desert is a mid-size public community college in Palm Desert, CA. Approximately 10,207 undergraduates are enrolled. Ski resorts are within 45 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 90/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Location
Palm Desert, CA
Campus Identity
College of the Desert is a mid-size public community college in Palm Desert, CA. Approximately 10,207 undergraduates are enrolled. Ski resorts are within 45 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 90/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Campus Lifestyle
College of the Desert is a 10,000–19,999, urban school. The campus is 68 miles from Buccaneer Beach, CA and 45 miles from Snow Summit Mountain Resort.
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
68 miles
Buccaneer Beach, CA
Weather
Hot Climate
70°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
College of the Desert students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Summit Mountain Resort, 45 miles away with 10 lifts and 240 skiable acres. All are within 50 miles of campus.
California
California
California
Nearest Beach
Students at College of the Desert are 68 miles from Buccaneer Beach, CA.
Buccaneer Beach, CA
Ocean access within 68.3 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Palm Desert, CA
Palm Desert has a hot climate, with winters averaging 58°F in Dec and summers peaking around 94°F in Jul.
Station: PALM SPRINGS ASOS · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
College of the Desert in CA earns a composite safety score of 90/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,326 | $10,174 |
| Fees | $38 | $38 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $1,364 | $10,212 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
102 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is College of the Desert located?
College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA. The main campus address is 43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA. It is a public institution offering 2-year associate degree programs.
How many students attend College of the Desert?
College of the Desert enrolls 10,207 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend College of the Desert?
For the 2024-25 academic year, College of the Desert charges $1,326/year for in-state students and $10,174/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $8,970/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,728/year — what students actually pay. Use College of the Desert's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Is College of the Desert the right fit for me?
Whether College of the Desert is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions requirements, avg net price ($15,728/year after aid), campus culture in Palm Desert, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh College of the Desert against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with College of the Desert directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Palm Desert, CA
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Certificates
- School Year Weather
- Hot · 70°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 90/100
- Nearest Airport
- Palm Springs, CA (PSP) · 10 mialso TRM (15 mi), RIV (51 mi)