Palo Verde College

  • Palo Verde College is a California community college that provides an exemplary learning environment with high quality educational programs and services. It promotes student success, lifelong learning and community development. Our goal is to create better futures for our students and our communities.

School Highlights

Palo Verde College serves 3,833 students (18% of students are full-time).
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 3,833 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,288
  • Out-state tuition: $7,364
  • Minority enrollment: 72%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 58 teachers has declined by 55% over five years.
Palo Verde College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
0
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
0
Institution Control
Public
0
Total Faculty
58 staff
72 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
8

Student Body

The student population of Palo Verde College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The Palo Verde College diversity score of 0.68 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 10% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,833 students
6,838 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
66:1
44:1
# Full-Time Students
673 students
1,022 students
# Part-Time Students
3,160 students
5,816 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
173 students
381 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
673 students
967 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
96 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,160 students
5,798 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
21 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
4%
12%
% Hispanic
47%
46%
% Black
11%
7%
% White
28%
23%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
6%
6%
Diversity Score
0.68
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
30%
42%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,900
$34,700

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,288 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 $7,364 is more than the state average of $6,577. The out-state tuition has declined by 25% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,288
$1,236
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,364
$6,577
Tuition Notes
$406 per Unit
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
93%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$6,272
Acceptance Rate
n/a
81%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Palo Verde College is one of California's smaller community colleges. Students at Palo Verde College have all the advantages of a comprehensive community college and of a small college that is able to provide its students with personalized services. Palo Verde College is located along the Colorado River in the fertile Palo Verde Valley, 165 miles west ofPhoenix, 110 miles east of Palm Springs, and 100 miles north of Yuma. Its service area includes approximately 20,556 people, 12,456 of whom reside in Blythe.The charm of Southern California agricultural life permeates the valley. Tourism is a major industry,boosted by temperate winters and summers built around river water sports. Palo Verde College is dedicated to learning, to reflection, to personal growth. People of all ages and backgrounds attend from early morning to late evening and weekends to take advantage of a wide varietyof course offerings. The College has a reputation for quality and a readiness to respond quickly and appropriately to all community educational needs. The college was founded on September 15, 1947, six miles northwest of Blythe on the site of the former Morton Air Academy. Palo Verde College opened its doors as a junior college within the Palo Verde Unified School District. Seventeen students enrolled. By 1950, enrollment had reached 250. In September 1958, the College moved into a beautiful Spanish styled building on East Hobsonway. Athletics came into prominence. The Pirates won three conference championships in football and three in baseball. By 1966, the student body numbered 472. Palo Verde College moved to the Chanslorway campus in September, 1967. On July 1, 1973, the College separated from the Unified School District. The instructional program expanded to include vocational/technical, developmental, and continuing education courses. In August, 2001 the college began classes on its new, 200-acre campus. By Spring 2003, more than 2,000 students were enrolled in classes. Students attend Palo Verde College in preparation for transfer to a four-year institution, to acquire entry level job skills, or to increase their vocational competency for personal enrichment. Palo Verde College is pleased with the prestige its faculty and graduates have received. The continued success of the College depends upon superior teaching, and faculty members are selected with this in mind. Palo Verde College is a Public Community College Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, The Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Palo Verde College cost?
Palo Verde College's tuition is approximately $1,288 for In-State students and $7,364 for Out-State students.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 3,833 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,288
  • Out-state tuition: $7,364
  • Minority enrollment: 72%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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Did You Know?

Riverside County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.56, which is higher than the national average of 0.00. The most diverse community college in Riverside County, CA is Young Americans College of the Performing Arts. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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