Palo Verde College
The main campus of Palo Verde Community College District is located in the city of Blythe, California, one of the busiest entry points into the state. Nestled in a desert oasis beside the Colorado River and the fertile Palo Verde Valley, the campus serves a community of approximately 18,000 residents. Established in 1947 with just 17 students, the college has grown to enroll approximately 7,500 students, offering a broad range of academic and career-focused programs.
Blythe and the surrounding valley are primarily agricultural, with farming and ranching as key industries. Thanks to its location between Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Mexican border, the region sees high traffic and interest. Outdoor recreation-including boating, fishing, and hunting-attracts visitors year-round. With over 350 days of sunshine annually and mild winters, the area welcomes thousands of winter visitors, making tourism another major industry, especially during the warmer months when river water sports are popular.
Palo Verde College-Needles Educational Center
Located in the city of Needles, California, the Needles Educational Center serves the northern area of the Palo Verde Community College District. Established in Fall 1999, the center offered its first classes in Spring 2000 with a mission to reach traditional, non-traditional, and potential students throughout San Bernardino County.
Needles is a small city of approximately 4,800 people, situated in the Mojave Desert on the western bank of the Colorado River. It lies near the border of California, Arizona, and Nevada, about 100 miles north of the main Blythe campus. The center offers a full range of instructional and technological services, closely coordinated with the main campus to provide a seamless educational experience.
Diversity and Student Support
Palo Verde College’s student body is predominately male and includes a diverse population, with approximately 38% of students identifying as Hispanic/Latino, 38% as White, 8% as African American, 3% as Asian, 1% as American Indian/Alaskan Native, 1% as Filipino, .5% as Pacific Islander, and 3% as Multi-Ethnicity.
Palo Verde College is proud to be designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The college is committed to supporting its diverse student body through a variety of academic programs, services, and community outreach efforts that foster equity, inclusion, and success for all learners.
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