Overview
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College of the Desert

College of the Desert

Palm Desert, CA, USA
Public
2 Year
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Overview

College of the Desert is a public, 2-year institution established in Palm Desert, California, with satellite locations in Indio, Thermal, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Springs. COD is officially recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution, meaning the full-time student population of the college is at least 25% Hispanic. The college offers over 100 academic programs, awarding associate degrees and certificates to prepare students for job placement or college transfer. Eligible students can take advantage of the school’s New Horizons Book Lending Program, which provides books to individuals with educational barriers.

Average Net Price:
$9,654
Campus Setting:
Small city

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$9,654
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$1,326
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$9,586
Additional Costs
Books and Supplies
$938
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$10,374
$30k - $48k
$10,899
$48k - $75k
$13,258
$75k - $110k
$15,422
$110k+
$10,850
Financial Aid: visit page

Aid & Grants

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
32%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,758
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
32%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,651
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$309

 

Students receiving state aid
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1774
Students receiving federal aid
75%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,651

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
0%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$4,500
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$5,835
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$55
Students receiving federal loans
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,500
Average Other Loans Per Year
$6,648

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

See your fit
Level of Institution
2 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
441
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

Transcript
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No
Test Optional
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No
SAT Subject Tests
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No
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
95%
Out-Of-State Students
2%
Students Enrolled By Household Income
< $30k
308
$30k - $48k
143
$48k - $75k
90
$75k - $110k
6
$110k+
1

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
At least 2, but less than 4 academic years
Total Number of Students
10,382
Total Number of Undergrads
10,382
Student:Faculty Ratio
26:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
Learning Options
  • Study Abroad
  • Teacher Certification Offered
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
72

Faculty Overview

Gender
Male
Female
US National: 42%
US National: 48%
Ethnicity
African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
42%
 US National: 44%
58%
 US National: 56%
Residency
In-State Students
95%
Out-Of-State Students
2%
Size of Town
Small city
US States Represented
17
Countries Represented
Ethnicity
African American
2%
Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
Hispanic
75%
White
14%
Multiracial
3%
Unknown
1%
Percent of First Generation Students
62%
Student Organizations
44
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
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No
On Campus Women's Center
Item is not checked
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
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No

Housing

On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
No

Athletics

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is not checked
No
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is not checked
No

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$36,700
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$5,835
Loan Default Rate
14%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$55

REVIEWS

Read What Students Are Saying
Many of the teachers here are retirees, some of whom have previously taught at prestigious universities. I have had professors who have taught at USC, UCSB, UCR, UC Berkeley, Harvard, and even Yale. These teachers are heavily invested in educating their students, and generally have a laid-back attitude, and testing, workloads and assignments are usually not too vigorous. However, some teachers at COD take their instruction at a community college (where nearly half the student population works full or part time, in addition to attending classes) as seriously as they took their jobs at previous universities. This means much heavier workloads that require exceptional amounts of out-of-class work that can be strenuous on students who are also holding full-time jobs outside of class, or are only taking said class as a prerequisite for the degree they are pursuing. Overall though, most professors here are knowledgeable, thoughtful, and can actually be fun. Most importantly though, they understand that it is their job to help the community college students succeed, especially in regards to transferring to four year institutions. The student-professor relationship here is very informal and fluid, which leads for a great environment for aspiring students.
Josiah from Palm Springs, CA
I have to rate College of the Desert above any rank that can possibly be conceived. I have found faculty and administration genuinely interested in the students future, and will stop at nothing to help those who want to succeed. The College of the Desert is everything a school should be.
Stanley from Palm Desert, CA
Great location. Beautiful Campus. Very nice staff.
Chris from Palm Springs, CA
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