College of the Desert (COD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About College of the Desert
Morning light rolls off the Santa Rosa mountains as campus wakes up. College of the Desert is known for strong transfer preparation and practical, hands-on learning across the liberal arts, sciences, business, health, and technology. Students find support through tutoring, advising, counseling, and a busy library, plus ample study nooks and well kept labs.
Life here feels welcoming and down to earth. Clubs, service projects, and low key intramurals make it easy to plug in, while the desert setting means trail time and gallery nights. The culture is can do and multi generational. Career prep shows up in resume help and internships with regional hospitality, healthcare, and clean energy. And the weekend Street Fair at College of the Desert is a favorite tradition that brings the whole valley onto campus.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
College of the Desert (COD) offers 91 degree programs across 32 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,108 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 1,239 graduates), Education (5 programs, 481 graduates), Human Sciences (4 programs, 415 graduates), Health (10 programs, 337 graduates) and Business (11 programs, 288 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 1,239 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 1,085 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| Humanities Studies | 154 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0103 |
Education (5 programs, 481 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 385 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13.1210 |
| Education, General | 65 |
|
Other Award
|
13.9999 |
| Early Childhood Special Education Teaching | 19 |
|
Associate's
|
13.1015 |
| Elementary Education | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
13.1202 |
| General Education | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
13.0101 |
Human Sciences (4 programs, 415 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 367 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Child Care Management | 28 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
19.0708 |
| Human Development and Family Studies | 19 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0701 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0501 |
Health (10 programs, 337 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 125 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1199 |
| Registered Nursing | 97 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 35 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0805 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 28 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.1501 |
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 27 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.3901 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0904 |
| Athletic Training | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0913 |
| Community Health Counseling | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1504 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
51.2208 |
Business (11 programs, 288 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 167 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0201 |
| Business Administration | 39 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 33 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 12 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
52.0204 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 8 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0401 |
| Accounting | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0301 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1801 |
| Business and Management Services | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
52.9999 |
| Business and Office Technology | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0407 |
| Hospitality Management | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
| Resort Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0906 |
Eng. Technologies (1 programs, 281 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC Engineering Technology | 281 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0501 |
Security & Safety (5 programs, 158 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 88 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0103 |
| Criminal Justice and Police Science | 26 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0107 |
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 25 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0203 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0201 |
| CNC Machinist Technology | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0102 |
Psychology (1 programs, 140 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 140 |
|
Associate's
|
42.0101 |
Mechanics (2 programs, 111 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanics Technology | 109 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0604 |
| Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology | 2 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0614 |
Social Sciences (5 programs, 94 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 54 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 20 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1001 |
| Anthropology | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
| Anthropology | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0299 |
| Economics | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about College of the Desert (COD)
How much does it cost to attend College of the Desert (COD)?
The annual tuition at College of the Desert (COD) is $1,326 for in-state students and $9,586 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,264 for in-state students and $10,524 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $25,965 (off-campus) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does College of the Desert offer?
College of the Desert (COD) offers 91 academic programs across 32 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (5 programs)
- Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development (4 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (10 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at College of the Desert?
College of the Desert (COD) provides financial aid to 11% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,823 and average loans of $4,583.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,146
- State/Local grants: $2,553
- Institutional grants: $548
- Federal loans: $4,583
The university supports 1,007 students with grants and 3 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for College of the Desert graduates?
College of the Desert (COD) graduates earn a median salary of $31,085 after 6 years and $39,020 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $20,036 (25th percentile) to $58,937 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $65,400 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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