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Indian Wells CAPhoto: Patrick Pelster · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Indian Wells

College of the Desert is 4 miles from Indian Wells

No college sits inside Indian Wells’ boundary, but College of the Desert’s campus in Palm Desert, with 7,129 students on campus, is 4 miles from the center of town. About 2% of Indian Wells’ residents are enrolled in college, below California (8%).

College of the Desert

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Indian Wells. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
7,389 students on campus
Nearest college
4 mi
College of the Desert
Residents in college
2%
Below CA (8%)
Nearest community college
4 mi
College of the Desert · $1,326 tuition
Nearest public university
50.1 mi
Crafton Hills College · $1,188 in-state
Median household income
$163K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Indian Wells

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college 4 miles awayCollege of the Desert has 7,129 students on campus in Palm Desert, 31% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at Crafton Hills CollegeLiving in California, Crafton Hills College charges $1,188 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,556. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 2% of residentsBelow California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Indian Wells

One private college within 7.7 miles, and College of the Desert 4 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Crafton Hills College, is 50.1 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miCollege of the DesertSan Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageIndian Wells
University or collegeCommunity college
College of the DesertCommunity college · Public · 7,129 on campus · 4 mi · Palm Desert$16knet price31%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $1,326 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageUniversity or college · For-profit · 260 on campus · 7.7 mi · Rancho Mirage$28knet price70%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 14 campuses that file with it.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at Over $110k, where Indian Wells’ median household income ($162,990) falls.

College of the Desert4 mi · Palm Desert · sticker $24,607 · tuition $1,326$21,969a year
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage7.7 mi · Rancho Mirage · sticker $32,789$32,789a year
Crafton Hills College50.1 mi · Yucaipa · sticker $20,282 · tuition $1,188—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →College of the DesertSan Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageCrafton Hills College
College of the Desert31% graduate$39k earnings
Crafton Hills College31% graduate$43k earnings
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage70% graduate$38k earnings*$11k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage (14).

Questions about college near Indian Wells

Is Indian Wells a college town?

No. About 2 of every 100 Indian Wells residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below California (8). The nearest campus, College of the Desert, is 4 miles away in Palm Desert.

What colleges are near Indian Wells?

Within 15 miles: College of the Desert (4 miles, 7,129 students on campus) and San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage (7.7 miles, 260).

What is the closest community college to Indian Wells, and what does it cost?

College of the Desert in Palm Desert, 4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,326 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $15,728, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Crafton Hills College cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $1,188 a year in-state and $14,556 from out of state.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Indian Wells. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →