Part of the Desert Community College District, College of the Desert is in the city of Palm Desert and a 23-minute drive from Palm Springs. In the fall of 2009, the school had a headcount of 12,213 students. According to the school's website, College of the Desert is the No. 1 source of transfer students to California State University at San Bernardino. The school operates one of 10 Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy (ATTE) regional centers in California. The ATTE centers partner with industries involved in green technology to provide technical training.
College of the Desert
43-500 Monterey Ave.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-346-8041
collegeofthedesert.edu
The Mt. San Jacinto College District has two campuses--one in San Jacinto and the other in Manifee. It also has a service center in Banning, which is 23 minutes from Palm Springs. The service center allows students to register for classes, take assessment tests and meet with counselors without having to drive to San Jacinto. The San Jacinto campus is 42 minutes from Palm Springs. The school has an honors program that results in active recruitment of enrolled students by public and private universities and the potential of special university-admissions consideration because of the school's honors transfer alliance with major universities. Students must apply for admission into the program.
Mt. San Jacinto College
1499 N. State St.
San Jacinto, CA 92583
951-487-6752
msjc.edu
Crafton Hills College is in Yucaipa, a 43-minute drive from Palm Springs. The school is part of the San Bernardino Community College District. The school has one of the 36 accredited respiratory therapy programs in California, and it cooperatively operates a radiologic technology program with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. As a California State Fire Marshal-approved regional training center, Crafton Hills College offers the Firefighter I Training Academy Certificate.
Crafton Hills College
1711 Sand Canyon Road
Yucaipa, CA 92399
909-794-2161
craftonhills.edu
Riverside City College serves 19,000 students each semester and is part of the Riverside Community College District. Located 58 minutes from Palm Springs, the school has a renowned marching band and a strong nursing program. Riverside City College's nursing program received a federal grant of almost $1 million in 2010, which will allow the school to train an additional 96 students annually and expand nursing education programs.
Riverside City College
4800 Magnolia Ave.
Riverside, CA 92506
951-222-8000
rcc.edu