How much does Sonoran Desert Institute cost?

At Sonoran Desert Institute, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,678 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Sonoran Desert Institute?

Sonoran Desert Institute enrolls approximately 5,435 undergraduate students.

Where is Sonoran Desert Institute located?

Sonoran Desert Institute is located in Tempe, AZ.

Sonoran Desert Institute: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Sonoran Desert Institute

Tempe, AZprivate forprofitsdi.edu

Sonoran Desert Institute is a for-profit, online career college with a singular, no-nonsense focus: training students for technical roles in the firearms and drone industries. Operating with an open admissions policy, it serves a national, non-traditional student body entirely online, emphasizing practical skills over campus life. Its identity is defined by its niche programs, a self-directed online learning model, and outcomes geared toward specific technical fields.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 5,435
In-state tuition: $12,200
Out-of-state tuition: $12,200
Top Programs: Firearms Technology, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Graduation Rate: ~33%
Institution Type: 2-year, For-profit
Instructional Model: Fully Online
Student-Faculty Ratio: 31:1

Outcomes & value

Median debt at graduation: $9,500
Pell (lower-income) share: 33%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients): 50%

Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.

Financial health

1.5 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard

U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.

Campus & location

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 100
Summer high: 105°F
Winter low: 44°F
Annual rain: 12.8"
Natural-hazard risk: Very High

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Quick answers

How much does Sonoran Desert Institute cost?: At Sonoran Desert Institute, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,678 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Sonoran Desert Institute?: Sonoran Desert Institute enrolls approximately 5,435 undergraduate students.
Where is Sonoran Desert Institute located?: Sonoran Desert Institute is located in Tempe, AZ.

Admissions

Sonoran Desert Institute maintains an open admission policy, meaning it admits virtually all applicants who meet its basic requirements. Multiple sources confirm its is 100% [7][8][9][11]. The institute does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission, a policy noted as 'unknown' or not applicable in official data [9][11]. Admission requirements are straightforward and focused on preparedness for its online, career-oriented programs. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 years old, and possess the necessary technology and internet access to participate in online courses [10]. The process is designed for accessibility, with no mention of competitive selection factors like class rank, essays, or recommendations that are typical at selective colleges. There is no evidence from the provided sources that SDI has an Early Decision program or considers demonstrated interest in its admissions decisions; the admissions landscape described is one of universal access for qualified applicants.

testbook.com niche.com collegescorecard.ed.gov forecast-ed.com sdi.edu

Academics

SDI's academic identity is laser-focused on two technical industries: firearms technology and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, or drones). The institute's mission is to "equip all students with the skills they need to pursue a career" in these fields [14]. All programs are offered online, catering to students who require flexibility. The curriculum is described as "comprehensive" and designed to build "technical competency" and "sound judgment" for industry roles [13][16].