According to the American Association of Community Colleges, the U.S. has over 1,000 schools classified as community or junior colleges. These institutions offer many educational opportunities, including associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. However, choosing the right one can be challenging, given the volume of available options.
To help students find the right fit, Intelligent.com curated this list of the best community colleges in each state for 2023. The research team reviewed hundreds of community colleges, selecting the best ones based on factors like cost, graduation and retention rates, rankings, and more.
This guide also includes an overview of what students should know about community colleges, the pros and cons of these institutions, and answers to frequently asked questions from Blanca Villagomez, a program counselor and coordinator at UC-Irvine.
What You Should Know About Community Colleges
Community colleges, also known as junior colleges, serve various post-secondary educational purposes for a range of learners. These learners include first-time college students earning credits towards an associate or bachelor’s degree, working professionals gaining new skills in a certificate program, and adult learners expanding their knowledge through continuing education classes.
As the name implies, community colleges are designed primarily to serve students in the community where they’re located. Because of this mission, community colleges may have admissions and tuition policies that favor students from a particular city, county, or region. Most U.S. community colleges are public, meaning they receive federal and state funding to help make education affordable for the students they serve.
Students enrolled at community colleges can earn associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and, in some cases, bachelor’s degrees. Some community colleges may offer hundreds of programs in various areas like liberal arts, business, education, social sciences, and more. Others, like technical colleges, may have a narrower focus on a specific field like healthcare or IT.
Many students don’t earn a degree from a community college but use it as a bridge to earn college credits before transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re considering this route, confirming that the community college you attend has regional accreditation is important. Not only does this mean you’re getting the highest quality of education available, you’ll have maximum flexibility in the institutions that will accept your credits when you transfer.
You’ll also want to ensure your classes are relevant to the bachelor’s degree you want. “The transfer requirements vary greatly across four-year colleges, so early preparation is key to a smoother process,” Villagomez says. “Students should meet with their campus advisor or counselor to explore bachelor’s degree programs and develop a comprehensive action plan, which will help students identify the required coursework they need to complete before transferring and track their progress along the way.”
Many community colleges and four-year institutions have articulation agreements, which facilitate a smooth transfer process and help prevent the loss of credits when students switch schools, which can add time and costs to your degree.
Many brick-and-mortar community colleges now offer fully online and hybrid programs, increasing the number of students they can serve. Before you begin your search, determine if you want to attend community college online, in-person, or in a hybrid format, so you can focus on researching schools that offer the type of program you want.
The Top 50 Community Colleges
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best community colleges in each state. All are nonprofit, accredited institutions, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school based on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and student resources. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared our picks to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Pros and Cons of Community College
Pros
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Flexibility“In my experience, students are more likely to thrive when colleges offer flexibility to juggle courses, work, and family,” Villagomez says. “Community colleges offer classes in the evenings, on weekends, and even online. This way, students can feel at ease and build most of their class schedule around their responsibilities.”
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Diverse career pathways
“Community colleges allow students to explore various career paths and areas of study before they commit to a four-year program,” Villagomez says. “They also offer students alternative ways to advance their careers, such as certification programs. Whether students are recent high school graduates, working professionals pivoting their careers, or anyone in between, their local community college will offer a wide range of courses to help them explore their interests.
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Affordability
“Community colleges typically have a lower price tag than four-year institutions, which can be a game-changer for many students,” Villagomez says. Whether students only have to pay two years’ tuition for an associate degree or complete general education requirements at a community college before transferring to a four-year school, this type of institution can help make higher education more cost-effective and accessible.
Cons
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Limited campus life“Limitations in student life and activities on community college campuses is a challenge students frequently mention,” Villagomez says. “While the flexibility of class schedules at community colleges is a huge benefit, it can also mean that students come to campus primarily for their classes, then leave for their other commitments. There may also be limited opportunities for online students to get involved in clubs, organizations, and campus events.” Students can still get involved and network with classmates, Villagomez says, but it requires proactiveness, strategy, and dedication.
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Course enrollment
“Students may experience challenges in successfully enrolling in all their required courses, especially if they need specific courses to transfer to a bachelor’s degree,” Villagomez says. Popular courses can fill up quickly, especially in high-demand programs, which might affect their academic progress, especially if classes are only offered once a year. Says Villagomez, “To combat this potential challenge, I recommend students meet with a counselor early on to map out their coursework and develop an action plan if they face barriers like these.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does community college cost?
The average cost of attendance at a community college is $1,865 per semester or $7,460 for a two-year program. However, the cost an individual student pays will vary based on several factors. Public community colleges are typically less expensive than private institutions, particularly for in-state students. Whether a student attends a program online or in-person also influences the overall cost, as online students can cut out some expenses like transportation and on-campus room and board fees. Lastly, the amount of financial aid a student receives, including scholarships, grants, and work-study funding, will affect how much a student pays. Students should contact the school’s financial aid office for the most accurate price information.
Is attending community college worth it?
“Community colleges are a great way to save money in your early education and explore different academic and career paths without committing to a four-year institution right away,” Villagomez says. “Many students I meet are unsure about their major or career goals. The high price tag of colleges only adds to that uncertainty. Community colleges offer many opportunities to test the waters by enrolling in different courses, which can help students clarify their strengths and interests and inform their next steps.” For individuals who aren’t looking to transfer to a four-year college, community colleges offer opportunities for developing specific skill sets and increasing access to entry-level jobs with an associate’s degree or certification.
Should students attend community college online or in person?
“Both classroom settings have their benefits, so there’s no right or wrong answer,” Villagomez says. “An online setting can lend itself to increased flexibility, while a traditional classroom setting can offer more hands-on experiences.” Ultimately, the best fit is the one that facilitates learning based on a student’s individual needs and learning preferences. For students who are still deciding, Villagomez recommends students research the pros and cons of each option and consider their priorities to determine which delivery method will work best for them.
How can students choose the community college that's right for them?
To start, Villagomez says students should inventory their goals and interests by asking themselves the following questions:
- What subjects bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your top three academic and career goals?
If necessary, students can ask a trusted friend, mentor, or teacher for help. The next step is determining whether an in-person or online classroom setting best suits their learning needs, which will help students narrow their search to schools that offer the type of program they seek.
When looking at specific schools, “Consider which ones have a wide range of courses that align with your interests and passions,” Villagomez says. “Also, consider which colleges have a strong reputation for supporting their students’ academic and career development. Finally, consider the cost of attendance and your access to financial aid. Stay organized by making a table to compare costs.”
“During this process, I also recommend meeting with a college admissions officer to gain insights and guidance tailored to your specific goals,” Villagomez adds. “Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have.”