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Colleges / College of the Desert

College of the Desert

Palm Desert, CA 2-Year Public
Acceptance Rate100%
Acceptance Rate100%

College of the Desert Tuition Information

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at College of the Desert was $1,288 a year for in-state students and $8,932 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't tell the full story. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at College of the Desert is $8,905 per year.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at College of the Desert

College of the Desert is a public institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $1,288 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 8,932 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Is College of the Desert's Tuition Different for International Students?

College of the Desert has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at College of the Desert can expect to pay around $8,905 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at College of the Desert:

•On-campus jobs •College of the Desert-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


College of the Desert Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at College of the Desert.

House and Food Costs at College of the Desert

College of the Desert does not provide on-campus housing for students, so there are no charge for dorms, however you should take into account the cost of off-campus housing when comparing the actual cost of various schools

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at College of the Desert

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at College of the Desert

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city can be expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The College of the Desert campus is in a small town setting in California.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Total Tuition and Expenses at College of the Desert


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to College of the Desert.

How Much Does College of the Desert Cost?

What will the cost of attending College of the Desert be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $1,288
Out-of-State Tuition $8,932

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


College of the Desert Financial Aid


In 2022, 0 of the 10,932 undergrads enrolled received financial aid.

Most Common Loans for College of the Desert Students

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on College of the Desert financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at College of the Desert

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

College of the Desert Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for College of the Desert students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of College of the Desert seem more manageable.

What will attending College of the Desert really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the College of the Desert's net cost calculator on their website.

College of the Desert Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

College of the Desert Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

College of the Desert has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About College of the Desert


To learn more about College of the Desert, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about College of the Desert in the College Confidential forums

College of the Desert Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$2,463

In State

$10,023

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$1,345
$8,905
Fees
$38
$38
Housing
Unknown
Unknown
Books
$1,080
$1,080

College of the Desert Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

Unknown

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

10,932

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

100%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$1,383

Out-of-State

$8,943

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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