With only a few public institutions, the majority of schools around Palm Springs, CA, are private colleges (both not-for-profit and for-profit) offering mostly undergraduate programs. Options for postgraduate studies are limited in the area. Get more detailed information on the area's non-specialty schools based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Closest Schools to Palm Springs, California
If proximity to the city is one of your preferences in a school, you may check the following schools closest to the center of Palm Springs. These institutions award certificates and/or associate's degrees.
- Mayfield College (6.2 miles from downtown)
- College of the Desert (14.3 miles from downtown)
- Milan Institute-Palm Desert (15.6 miles from downtown)
- Mt San Jacinto Community College District (20.9 miles from downtown)
Largest Schools Near Palm Springs, California
Based on the NCES data, the student population at the five largest schools near Palm Springs ranges between 10,000 and 26,000 as of fall 2021. The largest school, University of California-Riverside, is a public school offering bachelor's and graduate degrees; the four others are 2-year institutions.
- University of California-Riverside (26,847 students)
- Riverside City College (17,960 students)
- Mt San Jacinto Community College District (14,035 students)
- San Bernardino Valley College (9,913 students)
- College of the Desert (10,229 students)
Lowest Net Price
The NCES calculates the net price of attending a school by deducting the average financial aid package from the total cost of attendance incurred by full-time, undergraduate students paying in-state tuition rates. If you have monetary concerns for your education, you may choose from the following schools with low net prices in 2020-2021.
- Moreno Valley College ($4,899)
- Riverside City College ($7,161)
- Copper Mountain Community College ($8,749)
- Mt San Jacinto Community College District ($7,704)
- San Bernardino Valley College ($9,621)
Highest Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are useful indicators of the quality of education in schools. The NCES reports the overall graduation rate for each school as the percentage of full-time, undergraduate students who finish their course of study in 150% of the time normally required. Schools with the highest graduation rates in 2020-2021 include the following:
- InterCoast Colleges-Riverside (68% graduation rate)
- Mayfield College (72% graduation rate)
A school's location, size, tuition and graduation rate are essential information that you should consider in choosing a college or university in or near Palm Springs, CA.
