College of the Desert

www.collegeofthedesert.edu/

Add Comparison

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$1,288

4.24% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$14,179

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

12.3%

Default Rate

2021 Enrolled Students

10,229

36.4% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

29.4%

471 Graduates

About

College of the Desert is a higher education institution located in Riverside County, CA. In 2021, the most popular Associates Degree concentrations at College of the Desert were Humanistic Studies (202 degrees awarded), General Psychology (194 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (159 degrees).

In 2021, 1,712 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at College of the Desert. 64.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 35.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (1,235 degrees), 4.35 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, white (284 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at College of the Desert is $1,288, which is $−6,680 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($7,968).

Associates Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional Associates Colleges

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at College of the Desert is $1,288, which is $−6,680 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($7,968).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,179.

In 2021, 78% of undergraduate students attending College of the Desert received financial aid through grants.

Tuition Costs

$1,288

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at College of the Desert was $1,288. The cost of tuition at College of the Desert is $−6,680 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Associates Colleges ($7,968).

This chart compares the tuition costs of College of the Desert (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$14,179

2021 Value

2.05%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 College of the Desert had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,179. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of College of the Desert grew by 2.05%.

This chart compares the average net price of College of the Desert (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$16,580

Room and Board

$1,080

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at College of the Desert was of $16,580 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 9.92% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,080. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 45.2% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at College of the Desert (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

78%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

78% of undergraduate students at College of the Desert received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 6.85% with respect to 2020, when 73% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at College of the Desert (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

12.3%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at College of the Desert was 12.3%, which represents 10 out of the 81 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Enrollment

College of the Desert had a total enrollment of 10,229 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at College of the Desert is 3,727 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,502. This means that 36.4% of students enrolled at College of the Desert are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at College of the Desert, both undergraduate and graduate, is 73.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% White, 3.04% Two or More Races, 3.03% Asian, 2.37% Black or African American, 0.264% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0587% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at College of the Desert in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (45.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (29.5%) and White Female (7%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

36.4%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at College of the Desert in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 10,229 students. The full-time enrollment at College of the Desert is 3,727 and the part-time enrollment is 6,502. This means that 36.4% of students enrolled at College of the Desert are enrolled full-time compared with 32.5% at similar Associates Colleges.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at College of the Desert (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

67%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at College of the Desert was 67%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Associates Colleges (60%), College of the Desert had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at College of the Desert (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
7,561 enrolled students
White
1,594 enrolled students
Two or More Races
311 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at College of the Desert is 73.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% White, 3.04% Two or More Races, 3.03% Asian, 2.37% Black or African American, 0.264% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0587% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Associates Colleges is 44.1% White, 26.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.5% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 115 students (1.12%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 488 more women than men received degrees from College of the Desert. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at College of the Desert is hispanic or latino (1,235 degrees awarded). There were 4.35 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white (284 degrees).

The most common Associates Degree concentration at College of the Desert is Humanistic Studies (202 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (194 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (159 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at College of the Desert, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Human Sciences (166 degrees awarded), History (35 degrees), and Psychology (194 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at College of the Desert are Elementary & middle school teachers (232,606 people), Other managers (196,067 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (174,279 people), Police officers (146,767 people), and Social workers, all other (129,215 people).

The most specialized majors at College of the Desert in 2021 are Human Sciences (166 degrees awarded), History (35 degrees), Psychology (194 degrees), Agriculture (33 degrees), and Protective Services (107 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at College of the Desert are Surgeons, Physicians, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at College of the Desert are Human Sciences (166 degrees awarded), History (35 degrees), Psychology (194 degrees), Agriculture (33 degrees), and Protective Services (107 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at College of the Desert are Elementary & secondary schools (601,979 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (400,624 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (292,030 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (244,688 people), and Individual & family services (169,309 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by College of the Desert.

Most Common (2021)

Humanistic Studies
202 degrees awarded
General Psychology
194 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
159 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common associates degree concentration at College of the Desert was Humanistic Studies with 202 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at College of the Desert according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

612

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

1,100

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 612 degrees were awarded to men at College of the Desert, which is 0.556 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,100).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at College of the Desert by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 68 degrees were awarded to men at College of the Desert in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.747 times less than the 91 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 147 degrees were awarded to men at College of the Desert in Child Care Provider, which is 18.4 times more than the 8 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

100% Completion Time

26%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 8% of students graduating from College of the Desert completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 26% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 33% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Associates Colleges Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (64.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at College of the Desert is Female and Asian (64.7% graduation rate). Across all Associates Colleges, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.425% of graduates (2 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
1,235 degrees awarded
White
284 degrees awarded
Asian
60 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at College of the Desert is hispanic or latino (1,235 degrees awarded). There were 4.35 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white (284 degrees).

1.11% of degree recipients (19 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

Hispanic or Latino Female
811 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Male
424 degrees awarded
White Female
166 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at College of the Desert is hispanic or latino female (811 degrees awarded). There were 1.91 times more hispanic or latino female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino male (424 degrees).

Operations

College of the Desert has an endowment valued at nearly $28M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 687k (2.45%) compared to the 1.65% average return (87.6k on 5.29M) across all Associates Colleges.

In 2021, College of the Desert had a total salary expenditure of 176M. College of the Desert employs 44 Professors, 28 Assistant professors and 23 Instructors. Most academics at College of the Desert are Male Professor (27), Female Professor (17), and Female Associate professor (16).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at College of the Desert are: Office and Administrative Support, with 72 employees, Management, with 55 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 37 employees.

Endowment

$28M

2021 Endowment

14.6%

growth from 2020

College of the Desert has an endowment valued at about $28M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of College of the Desert grew 14.6% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $22.7M higher than than the median endowment of Associates Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at College of the Desert (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Associates Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$11.1M - Federal
$15.7M - State
$564k - Local

As of 2021, College of the Desert received $11.1M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $15.7M from state grants and contracts, and $564k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$57.2M

2021 Salaries

1.13%

growth from 2020

In 2021, College of the Desert paid a median of $57.2M in salaries, which represents 32.4% of their overall expenditure ($176M) and a 1.13% growth from the previous year.

The median for similar Associates Colleges is 16.4M (41.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$12.6M

Instructional Salaries

114

Number of Employees

In 2021, College of the Desert paid a total of $12.6M to 114 employees working as instructors, which represents 22% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $5.1M (31.2%) for similar Associates Colleges.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

44 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

72 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at College of the Desert were Professor with 44 employees, Assistant professor with 28 employees, and Instructor with 23 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at College of the Desert were Office and Administrative Support with 72 employees, Management with 55 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 37 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at College of the Desert was Male Professor with 27 employees, Female Professor with 17 employees, and Female Associate professor with 16 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at College of the Desert.