Best Community Colleges in the U.S.

The Community College Research Center at Columbia University reports that nearly 9,000,000 people attended U.S. community colleges in the 2020-2021 academic year. This figure exceeded the number of students at four-year public colleges.

Students may choose community colleges over four-year schools for many reasons, including affordable tuition, small classes, and an easy application process. Career-aligned certificates and associate degrees can train you for a new job in about 1-2 years.

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There are several factors you should consider when choosing a community college, including accreditation, program offerings, location, and credit transfer agreements. This process should narrow down your options to a manageable few.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) charters accreditation agencies, such as the Higher Learning Commission, to evaluate postsecondary schools nationwide. Accredited schools offer you a rigorous education you can use to start a job or enroll in a program at a four-year college.

Do not apply to nonaccredited schools, as many jobs and accredited colleges do not consider their degrees valid. This could lead to difficulties acquiring financial aid or challenges in transferring later. You can check the ED’s database to see if your prospective school is accredited.

Pay close attention to program offerings, as some community colleges focus on a specific academic or career field. A school with many programs lets you explore different subjects while paying an affordable tuition rate.

The best community colleges help you make the most of your academic experience with highly trained academic and career advisors. Their guidance will support your career development and help you select the best courses for your major and career path.

You may find the most affordable community college within a few miles of your home. At some community colleges, people living within the district or county pay the lowest tuition rate. Schools may charge other in-state and out-of-state learners much more.

Advances in online education mean you can explore community colleges outside your county or state. Learning online features many potential benefits, such as asynchronous education and reduced fees. However, every learner is different, and some students perform better in person vs. online, while others excel remotely. Be sure to know your needs before selecting your mode of learning.

The best community colleges prepare you to transfer to a bachelor’s-completion program at a four-year school. Your community college may advertise transfer agreements with in-state public colleges and universities. These agreements ensure all your credit transfers. Changing your major, however, could increase the time and amount you spend on your degree.

You can also transfer undergraduate credit to an online program if your community college and potential four-year colleges hold proper accreditation. However, keep in mind that you will need to maintain good academic standing to transfer successfully.

The typical community college student paid nearly $4,000 in tuition and fees during the 2021-2022 academic year. However, tuition made up only a fraction of the total cost of attendance (COA). You should also expect to pay for books, supplies, and other education-related expenses.

You need to calculate community colleges’ COA, even if they charge lower tuition than comparable four-year schools. Doing so helps you decide whether living on or off campus best minimizes your out-of-pocket costs.

Attending community college can help you in many ways during and after your education. Make sure to work with academic and career counselors to make the most of your time in school.

Attending a community college for two years and then transferring to a four-year school can significantly reduce your college COA. Lower tuition and fees for two years reduce your debt burden compared to those who began their college education at a four-year school.

If you choose to transfer to a four-year school, this advantage can set you up for greater financial success long after graduation.

A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report shows that professionals with an associate degree earn about 15% more weekly than their peers with only a high school or GED diploma. Making more lets you pay down student debt faster and achieve a higher quality of life.

Enrolling in a bachelor’s-completion program features even more financial benefits. The BLS reports that workers with a bachelor’s make about 80% more weekly than those with a high school or GED diploma.

Many community colleges maintain partnerships with in-state colleges to help you transfer your undergraduate credit toward a bachelor’s-completion program.

This benefit lets you rest easy knowing you won’t need to retake and pay for the same classes once you enroll in a four-year college.

Don’t think that attending a community college limits your financial aid options. You can use federal student loans to pay for your community college education. The FAFSA application calculates your annual student aid index, a figure the government uses to identify your financial need.

The official FAFSA website discusses what you’ll need to submit the form every year you’re in school. Research college scholarships if you need more financial aid to pay for an associate degree. Scholarship application deadlines and requirements vary.

There are many states that offer grants and financial aid to cover the cost of community college, including California, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, and Virginia. However, there are certain requirements you must meet in order to be considered eligible, such as your income, field of study, age, and immigration status.

Other requirements include holding state residency and a high school or GED diploma. You may also need to meet a GPA cutoff. Speak with a college admissions counselor to see if you qualify.

Community colleges within the 23-state Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA) award bachelor’s degrees. In CCBA member states like Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, all community colleges offer at least one bachelor’s program.

Member states such as California, Idaho, and Utah only offer bachelor’s degrees at some community colleges.

Top community colleges that strive to provide a full college experience may offer on-campus housing. However, most community colleges do not offer housing. Some community colleges may also offer housing at nearby partner institutions.

In many cases, yes. Most community colleges offer open admission, which means anyone with a high school diploma or GED certificate can enroll in classes. The best community colleges accommodate any student who wants to earn a degree.

Page last reviewed October 6, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the TBS Rankings Team.