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Colleges in Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs itself has a limited number of higher-education locations, but several colleges and universities have campuses or major educational centers in the surrounding Coachella Valley. The most important college actually located in Palm Springs is College of the Desert's Palm Springs Campus. (College of the Desert)

1. College of the Desert Palm Springs Campus

College of the Desert Palm Springs Campus Web Address: 1300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States Phone: +1 760-674-7800

1300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 674-7800
Type: Public community college campus

College of the Desert (COD) is the primary community-college institution serving the Coachella Valley. Its Palm Springs location provides student services, enrollment assistance, counseling, financial aid support, food pantry services and college coursework. Programs and individual classes available at the Palm Springs location can vary by semester. (College of the Desert)

COD offers associate degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer, career-education certificates and workforce-focused programs. It is also a common starting point for students planning to transfer to a four-year university. (College of the Desert)

Website: College of the Desert

Palm Springs Campus information: College of the Desert – Palm Springs Campus

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2. College of the Desert – New Palm Springs Campus

2363 Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Type: New public community-college campus
Planned opening: Fall 2027

This is a new, substantially larger College of the Desert campus currently under construction. The 27-acre campus is planned as a regional education, innovation and workforce-development hub.

The project is planned to include approximately 175,000 square feet of facilities, including technology-oriented learning spaces, media labs and culinary-training facilities. It is intended to serve traditional college students, working adults, employers and lifelong learners. (College of the Desert)

Website: COD Palm Springs Campus Project

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Colleges & Universities Near Palm Springs

3. California State University, San Bernardino – Palm Desert Campus

California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus Web Address: 37500 Cook St, Palm Desert, CA 92211, United States Phone: +1 760-341-2883

37500 Cook St., Palm Desert, CA 92211
Phone: (760) 341-2883
Type: Public four-year university campus

CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus is the area's primary four-year public university location. It offers bachelor's programs as well as graduate programs, credential programs and professional education.

Programs include areas such as business, communication, criminal justice, child development, English, history, cybersecurity, kinesiology, liberal studies, nursing, psychology and social work. Graduate and credential options are also available. (CSUSB)

It is located in Palm Desert rather than Palm Springs, but serves students throughout the Coachella Valley.

Website: CSUSB Palm Desert Campus

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4. UC Riverside – Palm Desert Center

UC Riverside-Palm Desert Web Address: 75080 Frank Sinatra Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211, United States Phone: +1 760-834-0800

75080 Frank Sinatra Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211
Phone: (760) 834-0800
Type: University regional center

The University of California, Riverside operates the Palm Desert Center, which serves as a Coachella Valley education, research and community-engagement center.

It supports continuing education, professional development, public programs, research and community events. It is not the same as a traditional residential UC campus like UCR's main Riverside campus.

Website: UC Riverside Palm Desert Center

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5. California Indian Nations College

California Indian Nations College Web Address: 75080 Frank Sinatra Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211, United States Phone: +1 760-933-9833

75080 Frank Sinatra Dr., Suite 222, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Phone: (760) 834-0593
Type: Tribal community college

California Indian Nations College (CINC) is a distinctive institution focused on Native American and Indigenous education. It offers college coursework and programs designed around Indigenous students, culture and community.

The college received initial regional accreditation from ACCJC in 2026, an important milestone for the institution.

Website: California Indian Nations College

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6. San Joaquin Valley College – Rancho Mirage

SJVC Rancho Mirage Web Address: 34275 Monterey Ave, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, United States Phone: +1 442-305-7701

34275 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Type: Career-focused college

SJVC's Rancho Mirage campus provides career-oriented education for students in the Coachella Valley. Programs focus on practical career preparation, with fields including healthcare, business, technology and skilled/trade-related areas.

It is particularly relevant for students seeking shorter, career-focused programs rather than a traditional four-year university experience.

Website: San Joaquin Valley College

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7. Carrington College – Rancho Mirage

Carrington College Web Address: 34275 Monterey Avenue, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Phone: +14422273232

34275 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Type: Career/technical college

Carrington College offers career-focused education, particularly in healthcare and medical-related fields. The Rancho Mirage location serves students from Palm Springs and the broader Coachella Valley.

Programs include nursing-related education and other healthcare career pathways.

Website: Carrington College

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Quick comparison

College	Location	Type	Main focus
College of the Desert – Palm Springs	Palm Springs	Public community college	Degrees, transfers, career education
College of the Desert – New Campus	Palm Springs	Public community college	Expanded education/workforce hub
CSUSB Palm Desert	Palm Desert	Public university	Bachelor's, graduate & credentials
UCR Palm Desert Center	Palm Desert	University center	Continuing education, research & community programs
California Indian Nations College	Palm Desert	Tribal college	Indigenous higher education
SJVC Rancho Mirage	Rancho Mirage	Career college	Career & technical education
Carrington College	Rancho Mirage	Career college	Healthcare & career training

Best option actually in Palm Springs: College of the Desert. Its existing Palm Springs campus is at 1300 E. Baristo Road, while its much larger new campus on Tahquitz Canyon Way is scheduled to open in Fall 2027. (College of the Desert)