College of the Desert

43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA

About
College of the Desert, located in Palm Desert, California, was founded in 1958, opening for enrollment in 1962. The school is one of 110 colleges that comprise the California Community College System. Since the school's founding donations by benefactors have facilitated the school's growth, allowing for the addition of new facilities and the expansion of program offerings to better serve residents within the school's growth area. Additionally, the increase growth of the regions has seen an increase in overall enrollment, which is currently nearly 10,000 students annually. COD is dedicated to providing a quality education and college experience for students, providing services and facilities as well as programs that are reviewed to remain current and relevant for modern students.

Academics
College of the Desert provides an extensive number of programs for students to choose from, allowing them the opportunity to take the career or academic transfer program that interests them most. Career programs develop the skills and abilities necessary to enter the workforce as a professional, usually in fields reflective of community's needs and in high demand. Programs usually take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency in the area of study. Graduates can seek employment after graduation having gained the experience and knowledge required for entry level work through practical and classroom courses.

Programs for transfer complete the first two years of a four year education at low cost, followed by transfer to a four year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. Transfer to public California institutions is facilitated through agreements allowing for admission if transfer guidelines are met. Students may choose to pursue transfer to out of state or private institutions, each with their own transfer admissions requirements. As such, it is recommended students meet with a counselor to develop a curriculum that meets the requirements of the student's desired school or schools.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid
College of the Desert is a two year open enrollment institution, and as such allows any individuals that meets the minimum requirements for enrollment to submit an application and be admitted. Students must provide transcripts and complete the placement exam, submit financial aid applications, and participate in orientation prior to registration of classes. Students should also meet with an academic advisor to prepare a plan for their education. Registration takes place prior to the start of each semester with tuition fees due shortly thereafter.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Aid is awarded based on need and is determined by the information submitted through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students in need of assistance will have their FAFSA reviewed by the financial aid office which will determine how much and which aid the student will receive. Students may be asked to provide additional information prior to the disbursement of funds to ensure the FAFSA's accuracy. Financial aid must be must be applied for prior to the start of each academic year.

Athletics
The College of the Desert Roadrunners participate in intercollegiate athletics through the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA), which allows for an environment of healthy competition among California's many community colleges. Participating students will be able to develop skills and abilities such as good health, discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork, that may be useful in one's personal, academic and professional life. Students will also be able to experience the camaraderie that comes with the successes and failures of pursuing a goal alongside teammates. Athletic will have different schedules, interested students should contact the athletic department to obtain tryout dates, times, schedules, and forms.

COD Athletic programs:

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Volleyball

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $9,300. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $1,300-$1,500
- Out-of-State: $6,600-$7,930
Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $46-$55 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $250-$300 per credit unit

Financial Aid Details

The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.

	Percent of Students	Average Amount
Any Financial Aid	80%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	80%	$5,183

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To help students and recent graduates, College of the Desert may provide services to students like those listed below:

Online classes
Remedial courses
Academic counseling for students
Student employment
Helping students find work after graduation
Day care for children

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Many community colleges are not only a source of technical or career training but also a stepping stone for students to transfer-out to a 4-year college, therefore we have included both graduation and transfer rates below and how this school compares against other community colleges in Riverside County and the community colleges in California as a whole.

	College of the Desert	Riverside County	California
Graduation Rate	22.2%	21.8%	24.3%
Transfer-out Rate	14.5%	13.2%	13.8%

Programs Offered

The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.