Cypress College vs. College of the Desert

Comparable Facts

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

Cypress College is larger than College of the Desert based on total student enrollment (15,924 students vs. 12,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cypress College is located in Cypress, CA (Large Suburban setting); College of the Desert is in Palm Desert, CA (Small City setting).
• Cypress 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: Cypress College 25:1; College of the Desert 26:1.

Cypress College vs. College of the Desert Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cypress 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 Cypress College than College of the Desert ($7,253 vs. $18,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cypress College are 12.2% lower than at College of the Desert ($22,086 vs. $25,151).
• College of the Desert is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cypress College (about $176 more per year; $1,326.00 vs. $1,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Cypress College than at College of the Desert (about $2,205 more per year; $12,379.00 vs. $10,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cypress College than at College of the Desert (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Desert students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Cypress College students ($6,822 vs. $6,345).

Cypress College vs. College of the Desert Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cypress 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 Cypress College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cypress College - Open admission; College of the Desert - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cypress College Aug 25, 2027.

Cypress College vs. College of the Desert Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cypress 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 Cypress College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than College of the Desert graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Desert graduates have a $4,162 lower median loan debt than Cypress College graduates ($5,338 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Desert graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cypress College graduates ($55 vs. $98).
• More Cypress College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Desert students, three years after graduation. (38% 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.