Cabrillo College vs. College of the Desert

Comparable Facts

Compare Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA with College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Desert is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (12,861 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); College of the Desert is in Palm Desert, CA (Small City setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of the Desert is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; College of the Desert 26:1.

Cabrillo College vs. College of the Desert Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or College of the Desert? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of the Desert than Cabrillo College ($18,169 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Desert are 0.5% lower than at Cabrillo College ($25,151 vs. $25,281).
• College of the Desert is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $56 more per year; $1,326.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at College of the Desert than at Cabrillo College (about $312 more per year; $10,174.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Desert than at Cabrillo College (88% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Desert students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($6,822 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. College of the Desert Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo College or College of the Desert? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of the Desert and Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; College of the Desert - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. College of the Desert Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and College of the Desert? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Cabrillo College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than College of the Desert graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Desert graduates have a $5,162 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($5,338 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Desert graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($55 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Desert students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.