College of the Desert vs. MJC

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

College of the Desert
Modesto Junior College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: MJC. Average net price is $5,605 vs $18,169 at College of the Desert.
  • Earnings 10 years out: College of the Desert $35,100 vs MJC $34,000 (median).
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Key differences

College of the Desert Modesto Junior College
Acceptance rate
College of the Desert-
MJC-
SAT range (middle 50%)
College of the Desert-
MJC-
Average net price
MJC $12,564 less
College of the Desert$18,169
MJC$5,605
In-state tuition
MJC $44 less
College of the Desert$1,326
MJC$1,282
Out-of-state tuition
MJC $910 less
College of the Desert$10,174
MJC$9,264
Graduation rate
College of the Desert-
MJC-
Median earnings (10 years)
College of the Desert +$1,100
College of the Desert$35,100
MJC$34,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • College of the Desert -
  • MJC -
  • Admitted
  • College of the Desert -
  • MJC -
  • Acceptance rate
  • College of the Desert Open
  • MJC Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • College of the Desert Open
  • MJC Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • College of the Desert
  • MJC
  • Typical ACT score
  • College of the Desert
  • MJC
  • Average high school GPA
  • College of the Desert -
  • MJC -
  • Typical high school grades
  • College of the Desert -
  • MJC -
  • Admissions standards
  • College of the Desert Unavailable
  • MJC Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • College of the Desert
  • MJC
  • SAT range
  • College of the Desert
  • MJC
  • ACT range
  • College of the Desert
  • MJC
  • Submit test scores
  • College of the Desert Open admission
  • MJC Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • College of the Desert
  • MJC Jun 30, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • College of the Desert $1,326
  • MJC $1,282
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • College of the Desert $10,174
  • MJC $9,264
  • Room & board
  • College of the Desert $25,151
  • MJC $22,086
  • Average net price
  • College of the Desert $18,169
  • MJC $5,605
  • Average grant aid
  • College of the Desert $6,822
  • MJC $5,984
  • % receiving grant aid
  • College of the Desert 88%
  • MJC 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • College of the Desert -
  • MJC -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • College of the Desert $35,100
  • MJC $34,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • College of the Desert 35%
  • MJC -
  • Median student loan debt
  • College of the Desert $5,338
  • MJC N/A
  • Median loan payment
  • College of the Desert $55
  • MJC N/A
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • College of the Desert 26:1
  • MJC 32:1
  • 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%)
  • MJC
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
  • Location
  • College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA
  • MJC Modesto, CA
  • Setting
  • College of the Desert Small City
  • MJC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • College of the Desert 12,861
  • MJC 18,258
  • Type
  • College of the Desert Public 2 Year
  • MJC Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • College of the Desert
  • 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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • 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 vs. $9,264).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both College of the Desert and MJC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027.

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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