Palo Verde College is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Blythe, California. It enrolls 3,381 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
46/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes24
Value26
Affordability16
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, Palo Verde College generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Palo Verde College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $18,993 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$18,993
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
12%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$1,288
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$12,880
Room & Board (off-campus)
$25,767
Books & Supplies
$2,178
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$8,085
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,212
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$18,723
$30,001 – $48,000
$19,625
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,212
What this means:
12% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
8% of full-time students who enrolled at Palo Verde College graduate within six years, and 61% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
8%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
61%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Palo Verde College earn a median of $36,389 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$36,389
Earning > $25K
59%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$28,600
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$35,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $6,700, about 19% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$1.9 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
Palo Verde College is home to 3,381 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 64% are first-generation college students, 81% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
3,381
Part-Time
81%
First-Generation
64%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 47.8%1,616
White 25.3%855
Black 11.6%392
Other 6.5%221
Asian 3.9%131
International 0.1%2
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Palo Verde College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: DistantBlythe, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
82%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
Palo Verde College offers
a varied set of programs:
18 distinct programs across
12 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Palo Verde College is 22:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
22:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$5,130
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$1.7M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$98,725
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
36 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Instructors
36
100%
$98,725
Pros & Cons of Palo Verde College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Palo Verde College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Open admissions
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Palo Verde College is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Palo Verde College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Palo Verde College.
Is Palo Verde College hard to get into?
Palo Verde College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at Palo Verde College?
Palo Verde College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Palo Verde College cost?
The average net price after aid at Palo Verde College is $18,993 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Palo Verde College worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $36,389 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $18,993 per year. That's roughly 1.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Palo Verde College known for?
Palo Verde College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Palo Verde College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Palo Verde College are $36,389, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Palo Verde College accredited?
Yes. Palo Verde College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
How many students attend Palo Verde College?
Palo Verde College enrolls 3,381 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Palo Verde College?
Palo Verde College graduates 8% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Palo Verde College a public or private college?
Palo Verde College is a Public institution.
Where is Palo Verde College located?
Palo Verde College is located in Blythe, California.
What programs does Palo Verde College offer?
Palo Verde College offers 18 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Palo Verde College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Palo Verde College is 22:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in California
Other colleges in California share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Business Administration
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