College of the Desert

In 2014, tuition for full-time students at College of the Desert was $1,288 a year for in-state students and $9,548 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until after graduation.

For information on College of the Desert's financial aid options for first-year students, check with the school directly.

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 in-state students who attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. 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 status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to check your state's criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to College of the Desert?

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

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or College of the Desert-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial 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.

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College of the Desert Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; 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.

Room and Board Costs at College of the Desert

Housing and campus dining at College of the Desert costs $25,965 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the College of the Desert's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

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 textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are 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 computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at College of the Desert

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need 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 also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city might be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. College of the Desertis in a town in California.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending College of the Desert

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending College of the Desert.

Total Cost of College of the Desert

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$1,288
Out-of-State Tuition	$9,548
Room and Board	$25,965
Other expenses	$4,428

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.

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Financial Aid at College of the Desert

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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 make more informed decisions about 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 schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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

College of the Desert's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about College of the Desert's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About College of the Desert

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