Best Community Colleges in San Diego 2018-19

San Diego County is home to 22 community colleges which serve nearly 150,000 students. Community colleges are public institutions that offer affordable courses as well as degree and certificate programs in a number of disciplines.

Thinking of attending one of the best Community Colleges in San Diego? If you are considering to study in San Diego, now is a great time to begin your education. We’ve compiled this list of the Best Community Colleges in San Diego 2018- 2019 to help you start your search.

Community colleges in San Diego County offer a variety of programs and areas of study based on a career path. Scroll down to see our full methodology of top-ranked community colleges to get an affordable education and make your future bright. Good Luck!!!

Table of Contents

San Diego Mesa College

Mesa College is one of the 112 California Community Colleges and the 16th largest community college in the state. Mesa College takes pride in its high academic standards, its excellent programs and services, and its personal approach to helping each individual student succeed. Mesa College offers Associate Degrees in Arts and Sciences, Certificates in Performance and Achievement and one of the highest student transfer rates in California to four-year institutions. Mesa College now even offers a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree of its own.

Founded In: 1963
Ranking: 1stTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 1,142 USD, Out-of-state 4,670 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 619.388.2600
Website: http://www.sdmesa.edu/

San Diego Miramar College

Miramar, as well as City and Mesa, belong to the California Community College system along with 111 other public community colleges. Miramar offers over 150 degrees and certificates. It has grown into a comprehensive community college, offering transfer and expanded career training programs, including biotechnology, advanced transportation, paralegal, child development, business and more. All facilities meet LEED certification; the police substation earning Platinum LEED, the highest possible recognition for energy efficient design and the first in the San Diego Community College District to achieve Platinum certification.

Founded In: 1969
Ranking: 2ndTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 1,142 USD, Out-of-state 4,670 US
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (619) 388-7800
Website: http://www.sdmiramar.edu/

San Diego City College

San Diego City College is a public, two-year community college located in San Diego, California. Courses are provided in general education, lower-division transfer programs, and occupational and developmental education. The college offers 250 majors and certificate programs and 1,500 classes each semester to more than 17,000 students. San Diego City College has four major governing components: the Executive Administration, an Academic Senate, an Associated Students Government, and a Classified Senate.

Founded In: 1914
Ranking: 3rdTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 1,142 USD, Out-of-state 4,670 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (619) 388-3400
Website: http://www.sdcity.edu/

San Diego Community College District

The California Community College system is a part of the state’s three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the University of California system and the California State University system. SDCCD is one of the 72 districts containing the 112 public community colleges in the state of California. It offers over 130 individual disciplines with over 300 academic programs that lead to associate degrees or Certificates of Performance. Academics are held within individual schools at each college which in turn are divided into separate departments holding their areas of study and instruction.

Founded In: 1972
Ranking: 4thTuition & Fees Approximately: $245.00 per unit
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 619-388-6500
Website: https://www.sdccd.edu/

San Diego State University

Founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, it is the third-oldest university in the 23-member California State University (CSU). The university awards 190 bachelor’s degrees, 91 master’s degrees, 25 doctoral degrees including EdD, DPT, JD, AuD, DNP, and Ph.D. programs in collaboration with other universities. SDSU also offers 26 different teaching credentials. The university offers more doctoral degrees than any other campus in the entire California State University, while also enrolling the largest student body of doctoral students in the system.

Founded In: 1897
Ranking: 5thTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 6,976 USD, Out-of-state 18,136 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 619-594-5200
Website: https://www.sdsu.edu/

Grossmont College

Grossmont College is also home to Grossmont Middle College High School, where selected high school students can receive both high school and college credit for taking courses on campus. Grossmont College offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs. Each year, about 1,500 students earn Associate in Arts degrees, Associate in Science degrees, and/or advanced/basic certificates. In addition, the students are offered general education and transfer programs.

Founded In: 1961
Ranking: 6thTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 1,388 USD, Out-of-state 7,196 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 619-644-7000
Website: https://www.grossmont.edu/

MiraCosta College – San Elijo Campus

MiraCosta College embraces accreditation as an ongoing process designed to promote educational quality and institutional effectiveness. MiraCosta College makes a solemn pledge of quality assurance and dedication of its resources and processes to foster student success, assess student learning, and pursue institutional excellence. It has embraced accreditation as an ongoing process designed for institutional improvement.

Founded In: 1964
Ranking: 7thTuition & Fees Approximately: $1,000
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 760-757-2121
Website: http://miracosta.edu/

Platt College

Platt College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and offers degrees from Associates in Applied Science Degree in Graphic Design to Bachelor of Science in Media Arts. You can choose from various different programs and specialties in Digital Video Production / EFX, 3D Modeling & Design, Graphic Design, and Web Design / Development. Platt College San Diego expanded its facilities due to the increasing number of interest within the field of digital media design.

Founded In: 1879
Ranking: 8thTuition & Fees Approximately: 14,933 US
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (619) 265-0107
Website: http://www.plattcollege.edu/

Palomar College

Palomar College is a community college with one campus, three centers and four education sites in San Diego County, California, United States. Palomar College offers 250 associate’s degrees and certificate programs, and also offers programs for students wishing to transfer to many different four-year universities, including institutions in the University of California and California State University systems. At Palomar, students may choose from over complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning.

Founded In: 1946
Ranking: 9thTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 1,338 USD, Out-of-state 7,078 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (760) 744-1150
Website: https://www2.palomar.edu/

Southwestern College

Founded in 1961, Southwestern College serves approximately 19,000 students annually. The campus is a feeder school for students hoping to transfer to the two local public universities, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, and also many other private institutions. Serving approximately 20,000 students every semester, Southwestern College offers more than 320 associate degree and certificate options. Whether pursuing an A.A. degree, preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university, or acquiring new occupational skills, students attending Southwestern College are given every opportunity to meet their educational goals.

Founded In: 1961
Ranking: 10thTuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 1,336 USD, Out-of-state 5,452 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (619) 421-6700
Website: http://www.swccd.edu/