Palo Verde College: $1,288 Tuition

$1,288Tuition

2,909Students

14%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,389Earnings

Public2-yearIndependentData: 2023-24

About Palo Verde College

This community college serves the remote Colorado River region with workforce training programs designed for local industry needs. The college enrolls 2,909 students in California's eastern desert, where the nearest major city sits hours away. Palo Verde focuses on practical career preparation rather than traditional liberal arts, with programs that connect directly to regional employers. The school has operated since 1947 as an educational anchor for Blythe and surrounding agricultural communities.

Students pay an average net price of $10,543 after financial aid, though only 6.39% receive any aid at all. Most students attend without borrowing money, as the federal loan rate sits at 0.00%. Graduates earn a median of $36,389 ten years after starting college, making the investment reasonable for career-focused programs. The low aid percentage suggests many students pay close to the $1,288 in-state tuition directly.

The student body reflects the region's demographics, with 51.25% Hispanic enrollment and 97.18% of students coming from California. Men make up 84.63% of enrollment, likely reflecting the college's emphasis on trades and technical programs. Only 24 students compete in varsity athletics as Pirates, with just 2 sports programs available. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than typical community colleges.

Academics & Faculty

Palo Verde College focuses on workforce training and career preparation for students in California's remote Colorado River region. The college serves 2,909 students with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio, which means larger class sizes than typical for community colleges. Only 14.30% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing education with work and family responsibilities in this rural area. The college emphasizes practical skills training in trades and technical fields that match local employment needs. Students here typically pursue certificates and associate degrees designed to lead directly into the workforce rather than transfer to four-year universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Full-Time Faculty: 39.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 14.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,389

Campus Life

Palo Verde College sits in the Sonoran Desert where California meets Arizona and Nevada, 230 miles east of Los Angeles. The campus serves a student body that is 51.25% Hispanic and 84.63% male, reflecting the region's agricultural and correctional workforce. You'll need plenty of sunscreen here, as Blythe sees over 300 sunny days per year with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 110 degrees.

With only 24 total athletes across 2 varsity sports, this isn't a school where sports dominate campus life. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means classes feel more like high school than a traditional college experience. Most of the 2,909 students commute from the surrounding farming communities and nearby state prisons where many work. Weekend activities center around the Colorado River, just minutes away, where students boat, fish, and escape the desert heat. The campus culture revolves around practical workforce training rather than traditional college social scenes. With 97.18% of students from California, you'll find a tight-knit community focused on career preparation rather than campus traditions.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1947

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 40°–69°F
July Avg: 78°–109°F
Annual Precipitation: 3.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Men make up 85% of the student body at this rural community college, reflecting its focus on trades and workforce training programs. Over half the students are Hispanic, mirroring the demographics of the Colorado River agricultural region it serves. Nearly all students come from California, showing Palo Verde's role as a local pipeline for career training. The college draws workers and career-changers looking to gain practical skills in fields like agriculture, automotive technology, and industrial trades that drive the local economy.

Men: 84.6%
Women: 15.4%
White: 24.1%
Black: 11.9%
Hispanic: 51.3%
Asian: 3.6%
In-State Students: 97.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 6.4%

Location

Palo Verde College sits in Blythe, a desert town along the California-Arizona border about 230 miles east of Los Angeles. The campus serves the remote Colorado River region where agriculture and tourism drive the local economy. Nearly 97% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's role as the primary higher education option for this sparsely populated area. The surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape offers outdoor recreation opportunities, while the Colorado River provides water sports and fishing. Blythe functions as a regional center for farming communities scattered across the desert. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Palo Verde College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Blythe, California 92225

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,389
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,300

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Palo Verde College?

Palo Verde College has open enrollment as a community college, meaning students can register for classes without competitive admission requirements. The college serves 2,909 students and draws 97.18% of its enrollment from California residents. This accessibility supports the college's mission as a workforce training center for the Colorado River region.

How much does Palo Verde College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,543 annually, though only 6.39% receive federal financial aid. In-state tuition stands at just $1,288, making this one of California's most affordable college options. The low aid percentage reflects the already minimal tuition costs at this rural community college.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Palo Verde College?

The student-faculty ratio is 22:1, which is typical for community colleges focused on practical training. Classes emphasize workforce development programs that prepare students for regional employment opportunities. The college operates on a semester system to align with transfer requirements for four-year institutions.

What are the graduation rates and earnings outcomes at Palo Verde College?

The six-year graduation rate is 14.30%, reflecting the college's role as a stepping stone for students pursuing various educational and career paths. Graduates earn a median salary of $36,389 ten years after enrollment, with many entering trades and technical fields serving the agricultural and service sectors of the Colorado River valley.

Where is Palo Verde College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in rural Blythe, California, serving a distant rural setting near the Colorado River. With only 24 varsity athletes competing in 2 sports as the Pirates, campus life centers around academics and workforce training rather than athletics. The student body is 84.63% male, reflecting the college's emphasis on traditionally male-dominated trade programs.

What makes Palo Verde College unique among California community colleges?

The college serves one of California's most remote regions, with 51.25% Hispanic enrollment reflecting the border community's demographics. Founded in 1947, it has evolved into a specialized workforce training center for agriculture, transportation, and service industries unique to the Colorado River corridor. The extremely low federal loan rate of 0.00% indicates most students complete programs without borrowing money.