College of the Desert vs. MJC

Comparable Facts

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

Modesto Junior College is larger than College of the Desert based on total student enrollment (18,258 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); Modesto Junior College is in Modesto, CA (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Desert is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Modesto Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Desert 26:1; Modesto Junior College 32:1.

College of the Desert vs. MJC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Desert or MJC? 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 Modesto Junior College than College of the Desert ($5,605 vs. $18,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Modesto Junior College are 12.2% lower than at College of the Desert ($22,086 vs. $25,151).
• College of the Desert is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MJC (about $44 more per year; $1,326.00 vs. $1,282.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at College of the Desert than at Modesto Junior College (about $910 more per year; $10,174.00 vs. $9,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Desert than at Modesto Junior College (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Desert students is 14% larger than aid received by Modesto Junior College students ($6,822 vs. $5,984).

College of the Desert vs. MJC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Desert or MJC? 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 MJC 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; MJC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027.

College of the Desert vs. MJC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Desert and MJC? 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 College of the Desert earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than MJC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,100 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.