Career Training Path › California › College of the Desert
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260 · Phone: (760) 346-8041 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
College of the Desert is a public trade school in Palm Desert, California, offering auto mechanic, pharmacy technician, and culinary programs, accredited by the ACCJC.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, College of the Desert has a 31.1% completion rate versus a 64.2% state average, with median earnings of $39,020 ten years after entry; median graduate debt is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for College of the Desert; contact the school for current tuition. It participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and 37.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $42,850 | $55,110 | $65,590 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,390 | $79,750 | $93,720 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,740 | $46,380 | $59,180 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 6 | $35,428 | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
College of the Desert is a public trade and career training campus in Palm Desert, California, located in a small city setting. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants here. Its most-awarded trade programs are auto mechanic training, pharmacy technician programs, and culinary and pastry arts, with nine program families offered in total including construction trades, LPN programs, and EMT training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 31.1%, which is below the state average of 64.2%. Median earnings for students 10 years after entry are reported at $39,020. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data, and annual cost of attendance is also not reported for this campus in federal data. About 37.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid.
With undergraduate enrollment above 10,000 and 71 trade program completers reported, this campus serves a large student population across multiple trade pathways. Because program lengths are not detailed here, prospective students—including adult career changers—should contact the school directly to ask about scheduling and program duration before enrolling. To verify accreditation status and review updated outcome figures, check with the listed accreditors directly or consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
College of the Desert offers nine program families, most notably auto mechanic schools, pharmacy technician programs, and culinary & pastry schools. It also offers construction trades, LPN programs, and EMT training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its accreditors include the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 37.9% of students currently receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 31.1%, which is below the state average of 64.2%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $39,020, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (760) 346-8041 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
College of the Desert is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-funded aid programs, though specific costs are not reported here.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can check accreditation status directly with the listed accreditors or review official outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?113573.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program lengths are not detailed in the available data, so fit for adult career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to ask about scheduling and format.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach College of the Desert by phone at (760) 346-8041 or through its website at https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on other nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to look up and compare similar institutions in the area.
Other trade and career schools in Palm Desert, CA
- International School of Beauty IncPalm Desert, CA · 92% completion
- Milan Institute-Palm DesertPalm Desert, CA · 48% completion
- Elite Cosmetology SchoolPalm Desert, CA · 88% completion
- International School of BeautyPalm Desert, CA · state-licensed school
- California Nurses Educational InstitutePalm Springs, CA · 81% completion
- Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, CA · 45% completion
- CET-El CentroEl Centro, CA · 93% completion
- Palo Verde CollegeBlythe, CA · 31% completion
See all trade and career schools in California or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.