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College of the Desert

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Institutional Data

Return on Investment Metric
Years to Recoup Expected Net Costs
Some institutions do not report student data to the U.S. Department of Education and/or do not demonstrate positive ROI with this particular metric and will appear as - -.

3.6 Years to Recoup Costs

ROI Methodology

Student Achievement Data

View Data

Participates in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs

Yes -->

Institutional Information

Address

43-500 Monterey Avenue Palm Desert, CA 92260

Phone

(760) 346-8041

Website

Website

Staff Liaison

Melynie Schiel

Degrees

Bachelor of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, Associate of Science for Transfer, Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement

Total Enrollment

14,256

Academic calendar

Semester Plan

Institutional Type

Public (state/local) two-year

Accreditation Information

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Most Recent Commission Action

January 21, 2025

Granted Candidacy

May 01, 1969

Initial Accreditation

1971

Name Position Role
Mr. Val M. Garcia Superintendent/President Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Ms. Joy Cowden Vice President, Instruction Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Dr. Raymond West III Interim Vice President, Administrative & Business Services Chief Business Officer (CBO)
Ms. Joy Cowden Vice President, Instruction Chief Instructional Officer (CIO)
Ms. Joy Cowden Vice President, Instruction Chief Academic Officer (CAO)
Dr. Joel L. Kinnamon Superintendent/President Board Chair
Name Address Location Type Status
College of the Desert 43-500 Monterey Avenue
Palm Desert, CA 92260
US		 Main Campus Active
College of the Desert - Indio 45524 Oasis Street
Indio, CA 92201
US		 Additional Location Active
Program Name Degree Type Method of Assessment Credits required for Program Completion Title IV Distance Education Correspondence Education
Advanced Transportation Technologies Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Agri-Business Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Alcohol and Drug Studies Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 65 Yes No No
Applications and Information Systems Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Architectural Technology (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Architectural Technology (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 67 Yes No No
Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Building & Energy Systems Professionals Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Computer Information Systems (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Computer Information Systems (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Construction Management (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Construction Management (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 68 Yes No No
Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Culinary Management Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Digital Design & Production Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 62 Yes No No
Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Engineering Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 67 Yes No No
Environmental Horticulture (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Environmental Horticulture (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Film Production Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Fire Technology (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Fire Technology (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 63 Yes No No
General Agriculture Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
General Business Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
General Drafting Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Health Science Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Hospitality Management (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Hospitality Management (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Interaction Design Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes Yes No
Mathematics Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Natural Resources (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Natural Resources (transfer preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 69 Yes No No
Plant Science (employment preparation) Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Police Science Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Registered Nursing Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 72 Yes No No
Sports Medicine Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 63 Yes No No
Turfgrass Management Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 61 Yes No No
Vocational Nursing Associate of Applied Science Credit-based using credit hour 71 Yes No No
Accounting Associate of Science Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Administration of Justice Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Agriculture Plant Science Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Biology Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Business Administration 2.0 Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes Yes No
Chemistry Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Communication Studies 2.0 Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Computer Science Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Early Childhood Education Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Environmental Science Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Film, Television, and Electronic Media Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Geology Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Mathematics Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Nutrition and Dietetics Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Physics Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Public Health Science Associate of Science for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Digital Design Studies Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes Yes No
Ethnic Studies Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes Yes No
Golf Management Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 62 Yes No No
Graphic Design & Marketing Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 67 Yes No No
Liberal Arts Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Liberal Arts Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Liberal Arts Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Liberal Arts Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Mass Communication Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 63 Yes No No
Philosophy Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Psychology Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 63 Yes No No
Social Science Associate of Arts Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Anthropology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Art History Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Child and Adolescent Development Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Economics Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Elementary Teacher Education Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
English Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Geography Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Global Studies Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
History Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Journalism Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Kinesiology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Music AA-T Degree Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Philosophy Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Political Science Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Psychology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Sociology Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Spanish Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Studio Arts Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Theatre Arts Associate of Arts for Transfer Credit-based using credit hour 60 Yes No No
Accounting Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Advanced Commercial Music Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Advanced Film Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 39 Yes Yes Yes
Agriculture Food Safety Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
Agriculture Irrigation Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 23 Yes Yes No
Agriculture Office Assistant Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 22 Yes Yes No
Agriculture Office Professional Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 29 Yes Yes No
Agriculture Pest Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes Yes No
Agriculture Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 29 Yes Yes No
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes No No
Alcohol and Drug Studies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 39 Yes Yes No
Animation Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Arborist Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Architectural Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 38 Yes No No
Arts Entrepreneurship In Ceramics Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 No Yes No
Arts Entrepreneurship In Drawing Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Arts Entrepreneurship In Painting Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Arts Entrepreneurship In Printmaking Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Arts Entrepreneurship In Sculpture Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Automotive Air Conditioning Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Automotive Alternative Fuels Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Automotive Braking Systems Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17 Yes No No
Automotive Electrical Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Automotive Emissions Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Automotive Engine Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Automotive Light and Medium Duty Diesel Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17 Yes Yes No
Automotive Steering, Suspension & Alignment Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17 Yes No No
Automotive Transmission & Axle Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Basic Commercial Music Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Basic Correctional Officer Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Basic Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Basic Film Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 13 No Yes No
Basic Fire Fighter Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Basic Peace Officer Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 22 Yes No No
Basic Radio Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
BIW I Office Support and Technologies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 12 No Yes No
BIW II Office Support and Technologies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 No Yes No
BIW III Remote Office Support and Technologies Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 20-22 Yes Yes No
BIW IV Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
BIW IV Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
BIW IV Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Building Automation Control Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes No No
Building Commissioning Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 25 Yes No No
Building Energy Consultant Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes No No
Building Inspection Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes Yes No
Business Information Worker - Real Estate Specialist Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 No Yes No
Business Remote Worker Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Commercial Gas Heating Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Community Health Worker Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17 Yes No No
Construction Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 29 Yes Yes No
Criminal Justice Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
CSU GE-Breadth Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 39 No No No
Culinary Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 40 Yes Yes No
Desert Ecologist Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes No No
Digital Design & Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes Yes No
Early Childhood Education Master Teacher Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 45 Yes Yes No
Early Childhood Education Site Supervisor Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 52 Yes Yes No
Early Childhool Education Teacher Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 38 Yes Yes No
Elementary Teacher Assistant Special Education Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 49 Yes Yes No
Elementary Teacher Assistant Special Education, Bilingual Certificate Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 50 Yes Yes No
Emergency Medical Services Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 17 Yes No No
Entertainment Design and Technical Theatre - Basic Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Entertainment Design and Technical Theatre – Advanced Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Environmental Horticulture Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 38 Yes No No
Facilities Operations Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes No No
Family Child Care Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 15 No Yes No
Field Ranger Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes Yes No
Film Post-Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Film Production Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 9 No Yes No
Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 22 Yes Yes No
Fitness Specialist Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes Yes No
Foundations for Accessibility Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 9 Yes Yes No
General Automotive Service Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 25 Yes Yes No
General Business Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
General Drafting Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 34 Yes No No
Geographic Information Systems Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Golf Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes Yes No
Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Green HVAC Commercial Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 35 Yes No No
Green HVAC Residential Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 27 Yes No No
Heat Pumps Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Hospitality Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 21 Yes Yes No
Human Resource Generalist Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 29 Yes Yes No
Hybrid, Fuel-Cell & Electric Vehicle Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Intermediate Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26 Yes Yes No
Intersegmental GE Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certificate Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 35 No No No
Landscape & Irrigation Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Lighting and Controls Technology Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Musical Theatre Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Personal Trainer Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 8 No Yes No
Pest Management Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Photography Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 26.5 Yes Yes No
Power Generation and Distribution Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes No No
Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 25-29 No Yes No
Public Safety Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 9 No Yes No
Real Estate Development Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 24 Yes Yes No
Reserve Police Officer Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 19 Yes No No
Residential Solar Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 20 Yes No No
Retail Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 25 Yes Yes No
Small Business Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes Yes No
Social Media Marketing Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes Yes No
Turfgrass Management Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 38 Yes No No
Turfgrass Management Technician Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Video Post-Production Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Vocational Nursing Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 51 Yes No No
Web Design Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 30 Yes Yes No
Welding Technology SENSE Entry-Level Welder Certificate Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 18 Yes No No
Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certificate of Achievement Credit-based using credit hour 16 Yes No No
Review Type Commission Review
Follow-Up Report with Visit (FUV) June 2026
Midterm Report January 2029
Comprehensive Peer Review January 2032