College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California. 102 certificate and associate programs, public. 102 of them report what graduates earn; for the rest, the figure below is what the occupation pays in California.
| Program | Credential | Median debt | Graduates earn | The occupation pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate's degree | — | $73,446 (20) | $140,270 Registered Nurses |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Associate's degree | — | $37,208 (31) | $43,240 Security Guards |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Associate's degree | — | $30,409 (14) | $124,390 General and Operations Managers |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Associate's degree | — | $21,781 (24) | $100,690 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate's degree | — | not published | $47,630 Nursing Assistants |
| Psychology, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Accounting and Related Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $97,050 Accountants and Auditors |
| Accounting and Related Services | Associate's degree | — | not published | $97,050 Accountants and Auditors |
| Agricultural Business and Management | Associate's degree | — | not published | $77,590 First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers |
| Agricultural Production Operations | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $56,280 First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
| Agricultural Production Operations | Associate's degree | — | not published | $56,280 First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $60,390 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate's degree | — | not published | $60,390 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $49,660 Medical Assistants |
| Anthropology | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $54,870 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | Associate's degree | — | not published | $54,870 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $210,280 Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Associate's degree | — | not published | $210,280 Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| Area Studies | Associate's degree | — | not published | $105,220 Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $64,620 Audio and Video Technicians |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Biology, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $57,000 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate's degree | — | not published | $57,000 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $124,390 General and Operations Managers |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $48,460 Office Clerks, General |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | — |
| Business/Commerce, General | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $124,390 General and Operations Managers |
| Business/Commerce, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $124,390 General and Operations Managers |
| Chemistry | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Communication and Media Studies | Associate's degree | — | not published | $85,030 Public Relations Specialists |
| Computer Science | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,410 Software Developers |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $174,410 Software Developers |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,410 Software Developers |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,410 Software Developers |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $174,410 Software Developers |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,410 Software Developers |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $43,240 Security Guards |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $44,880 Cooks, Restaurant |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate's degree | — | not published | $44,880 Cooks, Restaurant |
| Design and Applied Arts | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $100,690 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| Design and Applied Arts | Associate's degree | — | not published | $100,690 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $76,520 Architectural and Civil Drafters |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Associate's degree | — | not published | $76,520 Architectural and Civil Drafters |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Associate's degree | — | not published | $129,790 Producers and Directors |
| Economics | Associate's degree | — | not published | $94,700 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $80,480 Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | Associate's degree | — | not published | $80,480 Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| Engineering, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $210,280 Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| English Language and Literature, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $72,560 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Associate's degree | — | not published | $72,560 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $129,790 Producers and Directors |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Associate's degree | — | not published | $129,790 Producers and Directors |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Fire Protection | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Fire Protection | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | Associate's degree | — | not published | $46,980 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $80,850 Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel |
| Geography and Cartography | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | Associate's degree | — | not published | $210,230 Natural Sciences Managers |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $63,610 Health Education Specialists |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $77,590 First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Associate's degree | — | not published | — |
| High School/Secondary Certificate Programs | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | — |
| History | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $87,570 Business Operations Specialists, All Other |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | Associate's degree | — | not published | $87,570 Business Operations Specialists, All Other |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $51,090 Social and Human Service Assistants |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Associate's degree | — | not published | $51,090 Social and Human Service Assistants |
| Journalism | Associate's degree | — | not published | $98,030 Editors |
| Legal Support Services | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $77,390 Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $100,690 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| Mathematics | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $65,200 Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Associate's degree | — | not published | $65,200 Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | Associate's degree | — | not published | — |
| Music | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Music | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $96,980 Compliance Officers |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | Associate's degree | — | not published | $96,980 Compliance Officers |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | Associate's degree | — | not published | $124,390 General and Operations Managers |
| Philosophy | Associate's degree | — | not published | $210,230 Natural Sciences Managers |
| Physics | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Political Science and Government | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $47,630 Nursing Assistants |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,370 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| Social Sciences, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $99,650 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education |
| Sociology | Associate's degree | — | not published | $174,560 Managers, All Other |
| Special Education and Teaching | Associate's degree | — | not published | $101,060 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $57,990 Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Associate's degree | — | not published | $57,990 Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $99,650 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Associate's degree | — | not published | $99,650 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education |
| Teaching Assistants/Aides | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $64,100 Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $64,980 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate's degree | — | not published | $64,980 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | Undergraduate certificate | — | not published | $75,130 Graphic Designers |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | Associate's degree | — | not published | $75,130 Graphic Designers |
"Graduates earn" is the median two years after completing, from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, released 2026-06-10; the number in brackets is how many graduates it covers. A dash means the Department has not published a figure — it withholds any median computed from too few graduates — and never that the figure is zero. "The occupation pays" is the state median for the occupation the program leads to, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, and describes everyone in that job rather than graduates of this school.