Colleges in Palm Desert, California
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Palm Desert, California (3 Private for-profit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $19,001 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 67.9%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 12% of applicants.
The median net price in Palm Desert runs about $1,710 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Palm Desert, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$19,001
After aid
Median grad rate
67.9%
6-year
Median admission rate
12%
Median enrollment
142
Undergrad
All colleges in Palm Desert
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $15,728 | 31.1% | Not available | 10,207 | Partial | |
| Milan Institute-Palm Desert Palm Desert, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $24,730 | 47.6% | Not available | 356 | Partial | |
| California Indian Nations College Palm Desert, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | Not available | Not available | 12% | 142 | Partial | |
| International School of Beauty Inc Palm Desert, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $18,347 | 91.9% | Not available | 132 | Partial | |
| Elite Cosmetology School PALM DESERT, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $19,655 | 88.2% | Not available | 115 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (3)
Private for-profit colleges in Palm Desert operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Milan Institute-Palm DesertNet price: $24,730Grad: 47.6%
- International School of Beauty IncNet price: $18,347Grad: 91.9%
- Elite Cosmetology SchoolNet price: $19,655Grad: 88.2%
Public (2)
Public colleges in Palm Desert are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- College of the DesertNet price: $15,728Grad: 31.1%
- California Indian Nations CollegeNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Top programs in Palm Desert
Most-completed programs across Palm Desert colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts28.5% of degrees
- Health professions11.1% of degrees
- Education10.6% of degrees
- Family & consumer sci9.1% of degrees
- Business6.3% of degrees
- Engineering tech6.2% of degrees
- Personal services5.4% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement3.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Palm Desert
Q.How many colleges are in Palm Desert, California?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Palm Desert, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 3 Private for-profit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Palm Desert?
By undergraduate enrollment, College of the Desert is the largest institution in Palm Desert with roughly 10,207 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Palm Desert?
Based on average net price after aid, College of the Desert is the most affordable institution in Palm Desert at $15,728 per year.
Q.Which Palm Desert college has the highest graduation rate?
International School of Beauty Inc reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Palm Desert institutions at 91.9%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Palm Desert?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Palm Desert is $19,001 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Palm Desert?
Across Palm Desert colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Education.
Q.Are there community colleges in Palm Desert?
Yes — Palm Desert includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Palm Desert that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.