College of the Desert serves California's Coachella Valley with strong hospitality programs. Founded in 1958, COD features the Palm Desert Campus.
The college excels in renewable energy and automotive technology programs. COD's 'Basic Needs Initiative' supports food and housing insecure students.
College of the Desert Acceptance Rate
College of the Desert (Desert Community College District) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
College of the Desert Admission Requirements
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis
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Calculated via College Portal’s Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards.
Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of the Desert (Desert Community College District) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Desert Community College District Profile
Name: College of the Desert (Desert Community College District)
City: Palm Desert
State: California
Type: Public
Zip: 92260
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)
How much does a degree from Desert Community College District Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at College of the Desert is USD: 20053. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at College of the Desert is USD: 11812
How can I get a scholarship?
32.44% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 0.54 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Desert Community College District and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At College of the Desert, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Desert Community College District as your choice in the form.
How much a Desert Community College District Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 39020. An average Desert Community College District graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Agricultural Business and Management
- Agricultural Production Operations
- Agriculture, General
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Anthropology
- Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Area Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences
Frequently Asked Questions About College of the Desert Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $39020 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $20053 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are lower, 50% or less. It's important to apply early and showcase a strong academic profile.
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by College of the Desert.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.