Community colleges make up a large part of the higher education system in the U.S. With so many different two-year colleges in each state, it can be difficult to choose any one of them. To determine where students can receive the best education at the lowest price, we have compiled a list of Top Community Colleges in the United States.
There are many good reasons to consider a community college as your first step in higher education. Community colleges offer students the opportunity to save money, prepare for transfer to a four-year college, get ready for a career, try out college, and/or take advantage of a flexible schedule.
Community colleges can serve as important pathways to more advanced education or enhanced employment. Explore the top community colleges in your area based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Good luck!!
Table of Contents
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara City College is a two-year community college in Santa Barbara, California, United States. Established in 1909, SBCC is renowned as the #1 community college in the nation. The college has a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs, as well as transfer programs that provide the first two years of study toward the baccalaureate degree. The college was recognized for its quality and focus in four areas: facilitating underrepresented and minority student success, student learning outcomes, degree completion and transfer rates, and labor market success in securing good jobs after college.
Founded In: 1909
Ranking: 1st
Tuition & Fees Approximately: Local: 1,374 USD, Domestic: 8,326 USD
Admission Office Contact: +1 805-965-0581
Website: http://www.sbcc.edu
Hutchinson Community College
Established in 1928 as a Hutchinson Junior College, Hutchinson Community College (HCC) is a community college in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. Students can choose from more than 70 different academic programs leading to Associates in Arts and Associates in Science degrees. Hutchinson Community College has transfer and articulation agreements with every Kansas Regents university and college, as well as a variety of institutions across the country. The college also offers over 50 technical programs.
Founded In: 1928
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: Local: 2,720 USD, Domestic: 4,032 USD
Admission Office Contact: +1 620-665-3500
Website: http://www.hutchcc.edu
Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is a multi-campus community college in Washington State, USA. The college has an average annual enrollment of about 9,000 students. It has numerous areas of study and certificates as well as 45 different associate degree programs. The college also provides educational programs and services to offenders of the Washington State Penitentiary and Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. WWCC offers a comprehensive curriculum of academic and workforce training programs. The major areas of study include Arts and Sciences Transfer, Workforce Education, Pre-College, and Basic Skills. In addition, WWCC offers courses through extended learning, dual-credit and alternative high school programs, workplace learning centers, outreach learning programs, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Founded In: 1967
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $4,455
Admission Office Contact: +1 509-522-2500
Website: https://www.wwcc.edu
Lake Area Technical Institute
Lake Area Technical Institute is a technical school accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Lake Area Tech has 29 programs, 12 e-degrees and serves more than 2,500 full-time, part-time and online students enrolled in the previous school year. Some of the school’s longstanding programs include Agriculture, Welding, Cosmetology, Diesel, Aviation Maintenance, and Nursing. The school has a 16:1 student/faculty ratio and a 99% graduate placement rate. All programs require a $25 acceptance fee and a $125 tuition deposit after acceptance. Tuition fees are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. In addition to the costs listed, each program requires textbooks. Costs range from $160 to over $1000 a year, depending upon the program and option selection.
Founded In: 1965
Ranking: 4th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: From $160 to over $1000 a year
Admission Office Contact: (605) 882-LATI or 1-800-657-4344 Fax: 1-605-882-6299
Website: https://www.lakeareatech.edu
North Central Kansas Technical College
Established in 1964, North Central Kansas Technical College is a two-year public institution of higher education located in Beloit, Kansas. NCK Tech is dedicated to being a leader in workforce development by maximizing value for students, employers, and communities through educational excellence. NCK Tech offers 24 programs of study. Programs vary from short-term programs to associate’s degree programs. The college also offers Associate Combined Degrees such as Building Construction Technology, General Business, Technical Studies, and Welding Engineering Technology/Technician, Transportation Technology, General Education (Beloit Campus and Hays Campus), Online Classes.
Their Short-Term Programs are Accelerated Business Management Program, Commercial Driver License, Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Introduction to the Oilfield, IV Therapy for the LPN, and Kansas Institute of Underground Technology.
Founded In: 1964
Ranking: 5th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $3,996
Admission Office Contact: Beloit Campus 1-800-658-4655, Hays Campus 1-888-567-4297
Website: https://ncktc.edu
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Alexandria Technical & Community College’s retention, graduation, and career placement are among the highest of all Minnesota public two-year colleges. The college provides quality education, whether you are planning to start your career or just beginning your education. There are a variety of programs and majors to choose from. You’ll find something you’re interested in. The College offers over 50-degree programs, ranging from certificates to Associate of Science, An Associate of Arts degree, and Associate of Applied Science degrees. The campus is one of the few colleges in the state that offers a law enforcement program, which is one of the biggest programs there. Degrees in this field at Alex Tech include a traditional AAS degree, an AS transfer degree, and a career transition degree.
Founded In: 1961
Ranking: 6th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $180.33/credit
Admission Office Contact: +1 888-234-1222
Website: https://www.alextech.edu
Western Wyoming Community College
Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) is a public, tax-supported, two-year, co-educational institution in Wyoming. WWCC offers two-year transfer programs for students pursuing a baccalaureate, two-year occupational degrees and a number of occupational certificate programs. Programs include Humanities and Fine Arts, Social Science, Science and Mathematics, Business, Technology and Industry, and Health Science. It also offers some four-year degrees in cooperation with the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. WWCC accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools and recognized by the Wyoming State Department of Education and the Veteran’s Administration, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Founded In: 1959
Ranking: 7th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: Local: 2,400 USD, Domestic: 6,384 USD
Admission Office Contact: +1 307-382-1600
Website: https://www.westernwyoming.edu
Normandale Community College
Normandale Community College is a two-year college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission. Normandale is one of only four community colleges across the nation that is now accredited in three Fine Arts areas: National Association of Schools of Music, National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Individual program accreditations include American Dental Association, American Dietetic Association, Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Minnesota State Board of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing. Students attending Normandale are able to obtain an associate degree.
Founded In: 1968
Ranking: 8th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $ 5,018 annaul
Admission Office Contact: +1 952-358-8200
Website: http://www.normandale.edu
Meridian Community College
Founded in 1937, Meridian Community College is a two-year public community college in Mississippi, USA. MCC offers students a wide variety of activities in which to participate. There are more than 20 student organizations on campus representing a wide range of academic and vocational interest. The College offers a wide variety of academic courses of study. Students can concentrate in a technical field such as construction trade technology, broadcasting, machine shop technology, electronics, cosmetology, dental hygienics, nursing, and many other fields of study. Students can also take pre-professional academic courses to prepare them for careers in medicine, science, engineering, mathematics, economics, education, languages, law, architecture, and many other fields of study.
Founded In: 1937
Ranking: 9th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $11,260
Admission Office Contact: +1 601-483-8241
Website: http://www.meridiancc.edu
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Established in 1965, Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a comprehensive higher education institution committed to excellence in teaching and learning. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Annually, the college serves more than 12,500 students as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, as well as certificate programs. Anoka-Ramsey is fully accredited by and a member of the Higher Learning Commission. Anoka-Ramsey offers certificates and two-year degree programs that transfer into a four-year bachelor’s degree programs. It also offers several bachelor’s degree programs on its campuses. Anoka-Ramsey offers a two-year associate of arts degree program that fulfills the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Both AA and the MnTC provide a solid foundation for a four-year degree program.
Founded In: 1965
Ranking: 10
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $20,522
Admission Office Contact: +1 763-433-1100
Website: http://www.anokaramsey.edu
Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines Area Community College is one of the most diverse and multicultural student bodies in central Iowa. DMACC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Urban Campus offers a full range of credit and non-credit courses. The following Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates can be completed on the DMACC Urban Campus – Agriculture, Natural, and Environmental Science; Architecture, Engineering, and Construction; Business, Management, and Marketing; Education, Public, and Human Services; Health Science; Information Technology; Transfer; and Transportation and Logistics.
Founded In: March 18, 1966
Ranking: 11th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $17,311 annually
Admission Office Contact: +1 800-362-2127
Website: https://www.dmacc.edu/urban/Pages/welcome.aspx
Mayland Community College
Mayland Community College is currently one of 58 institutions operating under the North Carolina Community College System. Mayland offers a variety of curriculum programs, including numerous college transfer options, as well as nursing, adult education, distance learning, and dual enrollment for high school students. To assist the local workforce, MCC provides hundreds of workforce development and continuing education courses that directly serve the needs of local and regional business and industries, as well as the civic and cultural interests of the community.
Founded In: 1970
Ranking: 12th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: Out-of-State: $12,864.00 & NC Resident: $3,648.00
Admission Office Contact: +1 828-765-7351
Website: https://www.mayland.edu
