Community CollegePublicHSI
College of the Desert
Acceptance
Open admission
—
6-yr Graduation
31%
—
Total enrollment
12,861
peer median 8,103
Avg net price
$15,728
+$10k vs Community College
Use this data
About
College of the Desert (COD) is a public community college in Palm Desert, California. COD enrolls about 12,500 students, of which around one third attend college full-time. It serves the Coachella Valley of Riverside County. The college is federally recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), receiving Title V grants.
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Overall completion
31%
Overall completion
31%
Full-time retention
70%
Full-time retention
70%
Pell equity
9.8pp gap
Pell recipients
36%198 of 549
Non-Pell (all)
26%143 of 546
Subsidized loan, no Pell
100%1 of 1
No Federal Aid
26%142 of 545
Pell recipients here graduate at a 9.8-point higher rate than non-Pell students, unusual and worth a closer look.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 114 Title IV programs, 9 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 1 fails. 104 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Total programs
114
Passing
9
7.9% of portfolio
Failing (GE)
1
0.9% of portfolio
Fail rate
0.9%
+0.3pp vs 0.6% national
Pass / fail distribution
114programs
- Passing9 · 7.9%
- No Data104 · 91.2%
- Failing1 · 0.9%
Severity spectrum
Critical
0
Severe
0
Recoverable
1
At Risk
1
Watch
2
Safe
6
No data
104
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Program
Typical
Benchmark
EP gap
Sociology
Associate Degree · Social Sciences
$35,465
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
-1.7%
−$617
Sociology
Associate Degree · Social Sciences
-1.7%
$35,465 vs $36,082
Psychology General
Associate Degree · Psychology
$39,201
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+8.6%
+$3,119
Psychology General
Associate Degree · Psychology
+8.6%
$39,201 vs $36,082
Practical Nursing Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Associate Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$40,391
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+11.9%
+$4,309
Practical Nursing Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Associate Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
+11.9%
$40,391 vs $36,082
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Associate Degree · Security And Protective Services
$44,704
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+23.9%
+$8,622
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Associate Degree · Security And Protective Services
+23.9%
$44,704 vs $36,082
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Associate Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$45,349
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+25.7%
+$9,267
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Associate Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
+25.7%
$45,349 vs $36,082
Communication and Media Studies
Associate Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
$47,357
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+31.2%
+$11,275
Communication and Media Studies
Associate Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
+31.2%
$47,357 vs $36,082
History
Associate Degree · History
$49,234
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+36.5%
+$13,152
History
Associate Degree · History
+36.5%
$49,234 vs $36,082
Business Administration Management and Operations
Associate Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$52,620
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+45.8%
+$16,538
Business Administration Management and Operations
Associate Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
+45.8%
$52,620 vs $36,082
Near the line (±5%)
Programs within five points of the pass line, one cohort year from flipping.
Program
EP gap
Status
Sociology
Associate Degree · Social Sciences
-1.7%
−$617
Just failing
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
AccreditedInstitutional accreditor
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Accredited since 1963Next review Mar 2026
Programmatic accreditations · 4
Action history · 3
- Jan 2025Renewal of AccreditationAccrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- Apr 2024Initial AccreditationAmerican Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education · Physical Therapy (PTA) - Programs for the physical therapist assistant
- Jan 2018Renewal of AccreditationAccrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Aid exceeds costFamily pays
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Avg net price
$15,728
+$10,041vs Community College median $5,687
Federal loans
1.0%
In-state tuition
$1,326
Out-of-state
$10,174
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 5,966 students received $26.1M in Pell grants, alongside $998K in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients
5,966
AY 2024–25
Pell disbursed
$26.1M
$26,059,541 total
Direct Loans
$998K
247 loan awards
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
4k’20
4k’21
4k’22
5k’23
6k’24
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Subsidized$459K
126 loan awards
Unsubsidized · UG$539K
121 loan awards
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 81 borrowers who entered repayment, 10 (12.3%) defaulted within three years — above the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate
12.3%
+10.0pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
81
Defaulted
10
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard
Default rate vs national, by cohort
2016
20.4%+11.1
2017
20.4%+11.2
2018
17.8%+10.8
2019
12.3%+10.0
2020*
2.4%
This institutionNational rate
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at College of the Desert
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Distinct CIP programs90
UndergraduateOffered
Top program families by completions
1,114 total completions
01Health Professions
24622.1%
01Health Professions
24622.1%
02Business
18917.0%
02Business
18917.0%
03Liberal Arts
15914.3%
03Liberal Arts
15914.3%
04Psychology
13712.3%
04Psychology
13712.3%
05Social Sciences
1029.2%
05Social Sciences
1029.2%
06Security/Protective
686.1%
06Security/Protective
686.1%
07Computer Sciences
585.2%
07Computer Sciences
585.2%
08Multi/Interdisciplinary
554.9%
08Multi/Interdisciplinary
554.9%
09Family/Consumer Sci
534.8%
09Family/Consumer Sci
534.8%
10Communication
474.2%
10Communication
474.2%
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Fall total
12,861
12-mo unduplicated
18,254
Undergraduate
18,254
Graduate
0
Gender split
Men
44%8,109
Women
56%10,145
Race / ethnicity composition
Hispanic
73.7%
White
14.6%
Unknown
3.1%
Asian
2.7%
Black
2.5%
Two or more
2.4%
Non-resident
0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.1%
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Athletes
240
160 M · 80 W
Women athletes
33.3%
Athletic aid
$0
Total student aid
Budget
$1.9M
Total expenses
Men vs women · spending splits
Athletic student aid
$0
$0
Recruiting expense
$0
$0
Head-coach salaries
$42K
$32K
Men Women
Sport-by-sport · 10
Sport
Men
Women
Expenses
Soccer
32
27
$176,951
Soccer
32 M · 27 W
Football
50
—
$228,109
Football
50 M · —
Baseball
43
—
$155,301
Baseball
43 M · —
Basketball
16
10
$213,748
Basketball
16 M · 10 W
Volleyball
—
16
$70,770
Volleyball
— · 16 W
Softball
—
15
$84,796
Softball
— · 15 W
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
0.28
3 offenses · 10,764 students
3-year trend
0.492 yrs ago0.391 yr ago0.28Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
12
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
1
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
0
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
0
Criminal offenses by type
Aggravated assault
3
By location
3total
- On campus3
VAWA offenses
0
Domestic violence
0
Dating violence
1
Stalking
1 total under the Violence Against Women Act.
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons00
Drugs00
Liquor02
Residence-hall fires
No residence-hall fires reported.
Data quality: 6 reports were later determined unfounded across the reporting period and are excluded from the totals above.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Student-to-faculty
26.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
131
College of the Desert vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions College of the Desert selected for federal comparison reporting.
This institutionPeer median
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectCollege of the Desert | 31% | Open admission | 12,861 | $15,728 | Community College |
| — | Open admission | 6,950 | $5,547 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 9,876 | $7,818 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 6,841 | $15,724 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 9,457 | $15,843 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 14,082 | $9,610 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 12,842 | $9,053 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 5,712 | $4,734 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 6,787 | $4,462 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 5,478 | $5,297 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 10,337 | $4,458 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 8,397 | $4,547 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 11,273 | $2,039 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 8,873 | $1,115 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 8,103 | $5,377 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 8,455 | $7,443 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 5,980 | $15,742 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 6,718 | $5,687 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 7,533 | $6,777 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 11,475 | $4,739 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 7,361 | $0 or less | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 9,399 | $4,983 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 5,364 | $11,282 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 5,218 | $12,378 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 11,897 | $2,129 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 9,098 | $6,791 | Community College | |
| — | 100.0% | 7,004 | $4,754 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 6,143 | $5,837 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 12,222 | $0 or less | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 6,963 | $7,802 | Community College | |
| — | Open admission | 5,899 | $5,387 | Community College | |
| Peer group median | 31% | 100.0% | 8,103 | $5,687 |
Institutions like College of the Desert
Explore the federal data for institutions in College of the Desert's comparison group.
- Community CollegeMassachusetts
Bristol Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment6,950Net price$5,547View data - Community CollegeMassachusetts
Bunker Hill Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment9,876Net price$7,818View data - Community CollegeKansas
Butler Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment6,841Net price$15,724View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Cabrillo College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment9,457Net price$15,843View data - Community CollegeNorth Carolina
Cape Fear Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment14,082Net price$9,610View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Chabot College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment12,842Net price$9,053View data - Community CollegeTennessee
Columbia State Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment5,712Net price$4,734View data - Community CollegeNew York
CUNY Bronx Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment6,787Net price$4,462View data - Community CollegeNew York
CUNY Hostos Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment5,478Net price$5,297View data - Community CollegeNew York
CUNY Queensborough Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment10,337Net price$4,458View data - Community CollegeMichigan
Delta College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment8,397Net price$4,547View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Hartnell College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment11,273Net price$2,039View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Imperial Valley College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment8,873Net price$1,115View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Las Positas College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment8,103Net price$5,377View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Los Medanos College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment8,455Net price$7,443View data - Community CollegeTennessee
Motlow State Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment5,980Net price$15,742View data - Community CollegeMichigan
Mott Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment6,718Net price$5,687View data - Community CollegeTennessee
Nashville State Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment7,533Net price$6,777View data - Community CollegeOklahoma
Oklahoma City Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment11,475Net price$4,739View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Oxnard College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment7,361Net price$0 or lessView data - Community CollegeTennessee
Pellissippi State Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment9,399Net price$4,983View data - Community CollegeNew York
Rockland Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment5,364Net price$11,282View data - Community CollegeNew Jersey
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment5,218Net price$12,378View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Santiago Canyon College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment11,897Net price$2,129View data - Community CollegeTexas
South Plains College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment9,098Net price$6,791View data - Community CollegeTennessee
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Grad rate—Admit rate100.0%Enrollment7,004Net price$4,754View data - Community CollegeMissouri
St Charles Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment6,143Net price$5,837View data - Community CollegeCalifornia
Ventura College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment12,222Net price$0 or lessView data - Community CollegeTennessee
Volunteer State Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment6,963Net price$7,802View data - Community CollegeTennessee
Walters State Community College
Grad rate—Admit rateOpen admissionEnrollment5,899Net price$5,387View data
College of the Desert Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
Office
Office of Institutional Research
Phone
760.346.8041
Address
43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
The Office of Institutional Research supports the mission of College of the Desert by providing timely, accurate, objective data and information about the institution and the students it serves.
Visit IR office pageTeam
3 members
- Oxana AghaeiDirector, Institutional Research
- Jenna HuntzingerProfessor, Counseling, EDGE
- Rosangelica GastelumOutreach Specialist EDGE
Research funding
External research funding from NSF, NIH, HERD, and federal spending sources.
USA Spending
$31,312,497
All sources
$31,312,497
Reports & documents (6)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- Data definitionDefinition of TermsThis page provides definitions for key institutional research terms at the College of the Desert, including metrics related to student headcounts, enrollments, course success and retention, degrees and certificates earned, transfers, persistence, modality, and employment outcomes. The page is part of the Institutional Research section and aims to clarify terms for accurate data reporting and institutional planning.collegeofthedesert.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- FactbookFact Book2024The Fact Book provides information on College of the Desert's data through public website links. It covers general information, student information such as headcounts, enrollment, student outcomes, program awards, and transfer volumes, and employee demographics. Additionally, it provides a glossary for terms and accessible data through the CCCCO Management Information Systems Data Mart and other dashboards for more specific insights.collegeofthedesert.edu
- GlossaryDefinition of Terms - Institutional ResearchThis glossary from the College of the Desert provides definitions for various terms used in their institutional research context. Key terms include metrics like headcount, enrollment, FTES, course success and retention rates, persistence, and modality. It also covers institutional goals such as degrees and certificates earned, transfers, and goals associated with the Vision for Success initiative. These terms are essential for understanding the data and outcomes related to institutional effectiveness and student success at the College of the Desert.collegeofthedesert.edu
- GlossaryFact Book - College of the DesertThe Fact Book at College of the Desert provides accessible institutional data through tools such as the CCCCO MIS Data Mart. It includes information on student headcount, enrollment, program awards, student outcomes, and transfer volumes to various universities. Additionally, it provides data on employee demographics and incorporates an environmental scan within the Strategic Educational Master Plan. The resources are aimed at decision-making and research support, offering a comprehensive overview of the college's operations and achievements.collegeofthedesert.edu
- Strategic planCollege of the Desert Strategic Master Plan2023The College of the Desert’s Strategic Master Plan 2023-2028 outlines strategic goals, objectives, and actions to guide the college’s future and fulfill its mission. With a focus on improving student success and equity, the plan aligns with both state and national higher education initiatives while focusing on community engagement and institutional accountability. Through collaborative efforts, the plan addresses challenges, leverages strengths, and seeks to expand opportunities for the college’s diverse communities.collegeofthedesert.edu
Notable alumni of College of the Desert (6)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- Juan Carrillo
- Caesar Frazier
- William Hemmerdinger
- Jordan Howlett
- Malcolm Kokocinski
- Jimmie Villalobos
Frequently asked questions about College of the Desert
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about College of the Desert.
What is the acceptance rate at College of the Desert?
College of the Desert does not have a reported acceptance rate. This institution has an open admission policy: it admits all applicants who meet basic requirements, so it does not report a selective admit rate.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Desert?
College of the Desert reports a 6-year graduation rate of 31% per the latest IPEDS.
How many students attend College of the Desert?
College of the Desert reports a total enrollment of 12,861 students per the latest IPEDS.
What is the average net price at College of the Desert?
The average net price at College of the Desert is $15,728 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.
Where is College of the Desert located?
College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, California 92260.
Who runs Institutional Research at College of the Desert?
College of the Desert's IR work is done by the Office of Institutional Research.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.
DAPIP accreditationContinuously refreshed
Accreditation status for institutions and programs, reported by recognized accrediting agencies.
Federal Pell Grant & loan volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Pell Grant and Direct Loan recipient counts, award amounts, and disbursement volume by institution and award year.
Cohort Default RatesFY 2022 official rates
Institution-level federal student loan default rates, measuring borrowers who default within three years of entering repayment.
Equity in Athletics (EADA)Academic year 2024–25
Athletics participation, coaching, revenues, and expenses by sport and gender for Title IV institutions.
Campus Safety & SecurityData through reporting year 2024
Criminal offenses, arrests, disciplinary actions, VAWA offenses, and fire statistics reported by campus under the Clery Act.
Last reviewed July 2026All data sources & release dates →
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