Established in 1958, College of the Desert (COD) is one of 112 community colleges in California, a vital part of the world's largest system of higher education. COD is a thriving community college located in beautiful Southern California, just 2 hours’ drive from Los Angeles.

Tourism in Palm Desert is robust.  COD campus is surrounded by majestic mountains, covered in lush palm trees, and bathed in sunshine for more than 350 days a year. COD is ranked into the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the US. Because of the beautiful scenery, tourism is well developed in Palm Desert. The resort location offers students easy access to popular music, sports and shopping destinations in the U.S. International students enjoy an excellent lifestyle at COD with affordable tuition and living costs.

Apart from its stunning scenery, COD has gained national recognition for its award-winning student success programs and high levels of student achievement. COD offers 100+ associate degree and certificate programs of which majority allow international students to work in the US for one year upon completion (OPT), and many provide a guaranteed transfer admission pathway to the University of California, California State University and many private universities. COD attracts international students from 30+ countries to its academic, gap year and English programs. 

International students requiring Intensive English program can progress to their chosen academic program without taking TOEFL/IELTS or other English-proficiency tests as long as they have successfully completed Level 3 of the Intensive English program.