
About
Copper Mountain College, located in Joshua Tree, California, is among the most recent additions to the California Community College System, being the 108th of the 112 institutions that comprise the system. The school was once a satellite campus for the College of the Desert, and was established to provide education opportunities for marines based in military center located in the nearby city of Twentynine Palms. The school is now an independent institution, having received full accreditation in 2001.
Academics
Copper Mountain College offers a number of programs that allow for career or academic development, whichever better suits the needs of the student. Career training programs provide education and skill development in a high demand field or industry in order to prepare the individual student for long term employment as a qualified professional. Academic programs prepare students for transfer to a four year institution by first allowing them to complete a curriculum that mirrors the first two years locally and at low cost.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals who wish to enroll at CMC may do so by completing the application for admission, paying all fees, and providing transcripts and test scores if available. Students must be at least eighteen years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent. Students may be required to take a placement exam prior to registering. In addition, students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to discuss program enrollment and curriculum prior to their first semester, as well as participate in new student orientation. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships which are awarded based on need as determined by the information provided on a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $9,200. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $1,100-$1,300
- Out-of-State: $5,700-$6,826
- Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $46-$55 per unit
- Out-of-State: $240-$280 per 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 | 93% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 92% | $4,835 |
Receiving Student Loans | 4% | $3,844 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Copper Mountain College may provide services to students including:
- Online classes
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
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 San Bernardino County and community colleges in California as a whole.
CMC | San Bernardino County | California | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 21.5% | 19.4% | 24.3% |
Transfer-out Rate | 8.0% | 12.6% | 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.

Get more information about the programs offered by Copper Mountain College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A)
- Bookkeeping (C)
- Commerce (A)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (A)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Information Technology (A)
- Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (C)
- Computer Science (A)
- Computer Programming (A, C)
English Language and Literature
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (A, C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (A, C)
History
- History (A)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences (A)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- Humanistic Studies (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Auto Mechanic (A)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (A)
Psychology
- Psychology (A)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (A)
- Fire Prevention (A)
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (A)
- Drawing
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Copper Mountain College.
- College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA (29 miles away)
- Mt. San Jacinto Community College District in San Jacinto, CA (49 miles away)
- Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, CA (52 miles away)
- Moreno Valley College in Moreno Valley, CA (60 miles away)
- San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, CA (63 miles away)