College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$9,654
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$12,016
$30k - $48k
$12,341
$48k - $75k
$14,851
$75k - $110k
$15,977
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$1,326
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$9,138
Additional Costs
Books and Supplies
$1,152
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page

Aid & Grants

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
39%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,937
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
39%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,848
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$398
Students receiving state aid
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1,795
Students receiving federal aid
61%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,848

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
0%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,648
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$5,835
Loan Default Rate
14%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$55

What Students Are Saying

There is no question that the community college system, despite the state of financial distress it has found itself in, is one of the best higher-education deals in the nation. Almost any student qualifies for the Bogg Waiver, which completely erases the cost of tuition, and the FAFSA and CalGrant are made easily accessible to students as well, meaning that, as long as you manage your education expenses wisely, you can actually make money by attending College of the Desert, which can be applied to housing, transportation, and anything else a student might need.
Josiah from Palm Springs, CA
Doesn't come any better....anywhere!
Stanley from Palm Desert, CA
Fairly inexpensive as far as two year schools are concerned.. Public school, so that is why. Lots of facilities not seen on other public campuses (Driving range) Golf School, among others.
Chris from Palm Springs, CA