College of the Desert

  • COD is a two-year, public institution that provides lower division academic, vocational, and basic skills education. We are a successful college because we make decisions based on a systematic assessment of the needs of the community and the application of our core values.

School Highlights

College of the Desert serves 10,229 students (36% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is lower than the state community college average of 20:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 95%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 10,229 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,316
  • Out-state tuition: $6,832
  • Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
  • Minority enrollment: 97%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 603 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
College of the Desert
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates--Public Special Use
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
603 staff
294 staff
This chart displays total faculty of College of the Desert and community college average number of faculty in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of College of the Desert has declined by 14% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 has decreased from 20:1 over five years.
The College of the Desert diversity score of 0.42 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
10,229 students
5,744 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of College of the Desert and community college average number of enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
20:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of College of the Desert and community college average student staff ratio of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
3,727 students
813 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of College of the Desert and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
6,502 students
4,931 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of College of the Desert and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of College of the Desert.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of California.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
776 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,727 students
813 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of College of the Desert and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
63 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
6,502 students
4,962 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
3%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in College of the Desert and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
2%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in College of the Desert and the percentage of Asian community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in College of the Desert and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
74%
46%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in College of the Desert and the percentage of Black community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
3%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in College of the Desert and the percentage of White community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
16%
24%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in College of the Desert and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
1%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in College of the Desert and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in College of the Desert and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in College of the Desert.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in California.
Diversity Score
0.42
0.71
This chart displays the diversity score of College of the Desert and the community college average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.2944%
0.4179%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of College of the Desert and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.4884%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,600
$34,700
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of College of the Desert and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of California by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,316 is more than the state average of $1,236. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,832 is more than the state average of $6,547. The out-state tuition has declined by 20% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,316
$1,236
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of College of the Desert and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,832
$6,547
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of College of the Desert and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
95%
85%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in College of the Desert and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$5,500
$9,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in College of the Desert and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in California by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,979
$6,239
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in College of the Desert and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in California by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
92%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • College of the Desert offers two types of academic tracks; (1) lower division transfer courses required for most majors and professions at four-year universities or colleges and, (2) a wide variety of curricular offerings designed to meet the needs of those preparing for immediate employment, for those who are currently employed and need to upgrade their skills, or for those who are interested in a job retraining program and personal development. The Center for Training and Development provides a variety of unique programs and services designed to assist in the growth and stability of both area businesses and the College itself. The Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts is a nonprofit cultural and educational facility located on College of the Desert's campus. Committed to educational excellence, The Marks Center provides a venue for artistic exploration, experimentation and research. Traditional formats of painting, drawing, sculpture ceramics, photography and printmaking are complemented by contemporary applications in papermaking, book arts, performance and installation arts. College of the Desert is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does College of the Desert cost?
College of the Desert's tuition is approximately $1,316 for In-State students and $6,832 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 10,229 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,316
  • Out-state tuition: $6,832
  • Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
  • Minority enrollment: 97%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

Riverside County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.60, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Riverside County, CA is American College of Healthcare and Technology. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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