College of the Desert vs. Grossmont College

Comparable Facts

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

Grossmont College is larger than College of the Desert based on total student enrollment (14,440 students vs. 12,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA (Small City setting); Grossmont College is in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Desert is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Grossmont College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Desert 26:1; Grossmont College 24:1.

College of the Desert vs. Grossmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Desert or Grossmont College? 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 Grossmont College than College of the Desert ($8,351 vs. $18,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grossmont College are 12.2% lower than at College of the Desert ($22,086 vs. $25,151).
• Grossmont College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Desert (about $6 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Grossmont College than at College of the Desert (about $454 more per year; $10,628.00 vs. $10,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Desert than at Grossmont College (88% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Desert students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Grossmont College students ($6,822 vs. $6,370).

College of the Desert vs. Grossmont College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Desert or Grossmont College? 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 Grossmont College and College of the Desert.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Desert - Open admission; Grossmont College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

College of the Desert vs. Grossmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Desert and Grossmont College? 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 Grossmont College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than College of the Desert graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have a $838 lower median loan debt than College of the Desert graduates ($4,500 vs. $5,338).
• Among borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Desert graduates ($46 vs. $55).
• More Grossmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Desert students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.