What do College of the Desert graduates earn?

College of the Desert graduates report median earnings of $32,557 one year after completion (June 2026 data), according to College Scorecard.

Where do College of the Desert graduates work?

Employer data for College of the Desert is being added.

What share of College of the Desert graduates are found employed?

Graduates found employed for College of the Desert is being added.

Is College of the Desert worth it?

Q: Is College of the Desert worth it?

College of the Desert graduates report median earnings of $44,605 four years after completion, against an average net price of $15,728.

Palm Desert, CA · Public · 2-year

College of the Desert is a public, two-year institution in Palm Desert, California (small city). It awarded 4,237 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in liberal arts and sciences, early childhood education and teaching and child care provider.

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Federal data

Federal context for College of the Desert

Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.

Median earnings 1 year after

$32,557

Median earnings 4 years after

$44,605

Median earnings 10 years after

$39,020

Average net price

$15,728

Completion rate

31%

Completions (2024)

4,237

Years to pay back

1.4 years

Students (undergrad)

10,207

Median earnings after completing, by program

Program	Credential	Median earnings, 1yr	Median earnings, 4yr	Graduates counted
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	Associate	$30,417	$45,349	39
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	Associate	$91,848	$106,782	39
Psychology, General	Associate	$25,792	$39,201	34
Business Administration, Management and Operations	Associate	$25,934	$52,620	31
Criminal Justice and Corrections	Associate	$32,482	$44,704	21
Agricultural Business and Management	Associate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Agricultural Production Operations	Undergraduate certificate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Agricultural Production Operations	Associate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services	Undergraduate certificate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services	Associate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	Undergraduate certificate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	Associate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Architectural Sciences and Technology	Undergraduate certificate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Architectural Sciences and Technology	Associate	N/A	N/A	N/A
Area Studies	Associate	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.

Awards conferred, by program

Awards conferred in 2024, from IPEDS completions.
Program	Award level	Awards
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies	Certificate 1-2 yrs	1,075
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician	Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr	277
Early Childhood Education and Teaching	Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr	266
Child Care Provider/Assistant	Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr	249
Business Administration and Management, General	Associate	167
Humanities/Humanistic Studies	Associate	154
Psychology, General	Associate	140
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General	Associate	129
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other	Associate	125
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr	101

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Sources: federal figures for College of the Desert. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for California. Counts under 10 are not published.

Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page