College of the Desert vs. Grossmont College

College of the Desert and Grossmont College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

College of the Desert
Grossmont College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: Grossmont College. Average net price is $8,351 vs $18,169 at College of the Desert.
  • Earnings 10 years out: College of the Desert $35,100 vs Grossmont College $38,200 (median).
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Key differences

College of the Desert Grossmont College
Acceptance rate
College of the Desert-
Grossmont College-
SAT range (middle 50%)
College of the Desert-
Grossmont College-
Average net price
Grossmont College $9,818 less
College of the Desert$18,169
Grossmont College$8,351
In-state tuition
College of the Desert $6 less
College of the Desert$1,326
Grossmont College$1,332
Out-of-state tuition
College of the Desert $454 less
College of the Desert$10,174
Grossmont College$10,628
Graduation rate
College of the Desert-
Grossmont College-
Median earnings (10 years)
Grossmont College +$3,100
College of the Desert$35,100
Grossmont College$38,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • College of the Desert -
  • Grossmont College -
  • Admitted
  • College of the Desert -
  • Grossmont College -
  • Acceptance rate
  • College of the Desert Open
  • Grossmont College Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • College of the Desert Open
  • Grossmont College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • College of the Desert
  • Grossmont College
  • Typical ACT score
  • College of the Desert
  • Grossmont College
  • Average high school GPA
  • College of the Desert -
  • Grossmont College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • College of the Desert -
  • Grossmont College -
  • Admissions standards
  • College of the Desert Unavailable
  • Grossmont College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • College of the Desert
  • Grossmont College
  • SAT range
  • College of the Desert
  • Grossmont College
  • ACT range
  • College of the Desert
  • Grossmont College
  • Submit test scores
  • College of the Desert Open admission
  • Grossmont College Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • College of the Desert
  • Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • College of the Desert $1,326
  • Grossmont College $1,332
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • College of the Desert $10,174
  • Grossmont College $10,628
  • Room & board
  • College of the Desert $25,151
  • Grossmont College $22,086
  • Average net price
  • College of the Desert $18,169
  • Grossmont College $8,351
  • Average grant aid
  • College of the Desert $6,822
  • Grossmont College $6,370
  • % receiving grant aid
  • College of the Desert 88%
  • Grossmont College 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • College of the Desert -
  • Grossmont College -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • College of the Desert $35,100
  • Grossmont College $38,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • College of the Desert 35%
  • Grossmont College 43%
  • Median student loan debt
  • College of the Desert $5,338
  • Grossmont College $4,500
  • Median loan payment
  • College of the Desert $55
  • Grossmont College $46
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • College of the Desert 26:1
  • Grossmont College 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • College of the Desert
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Business (10%)
    • General Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Grossmont College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (32%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (4%)
  • Location
  • College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA
  • Grossmont College El Cajon, CA
  • Setting
  • College of the Desert Small City
  • Grossmont College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • College of the Desert 12,861
  • Grossmont College 14,440
  • Type
  • College of the Desert Public 2 Year
  • Grossmont College Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • College of the Desert
  • 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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Grossmont College than at College of the Desert (about $454 more per year; $10,628 vs. $10,174).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both College of the Desert and Grossmont College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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