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College of the Desert

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43-500 Monterey Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260

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Tel: (760)346-8041

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 9,719 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 48:1 is higher than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 68%.
College of the Desert is one of 9 community colleges within Riverside County, CA.
The nearest community college is Mayfield College (5.50 miles away).

The student population of 9,719 has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 48:1 has increased from 44:1 over five years.
The school's diversity score of 0.58 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has grown by 13% over five years.

Total Enrollment	9,719 students	7,105 students

Student : Teacher Ratio	48:1	44:1

# Full-Time Students	3,613 students	1,483 students

# Part-Time Students	6,106 students	5,622 students


% American Indian/Alaskan	-	-

% Asian	4%	13%

% Hispanic	58%	37%

% Black	2%	7%

% White	29%	32%

% Two or more races	1%	3%

% Non Resident races	4%	3%

% Unknown races	1%	5%

Diversity ScoreThe chance that two students selected at random would be members of a different ethnic group. Scored from 0 to 1, a diversity score closer to 1 indicates a more diverse student body.	0.58	0.73

College Completion Rate	23%	-

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)	$34,600	-

The public in-state tuition of $1,316 is less than the state average of $1,636. The in-state tuition has grown by 27% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,832 is more than the state average of $6,773. The out-state tuition has grown by 16% over four years.

In-State Tuition Fees	$1,316	$1,636

Out-State Tuition Fees	$6,832	$6,773

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid	78%	78%

Median Debt for Graduates	$5,500	-

Median Debt for Dropouts	$4,757	-

Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS

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.