Best Community Colleges in California of 2023

Las Positas College is a medium-sized, open-admissions community college in Livermore, 40 miles southeast of San Francisco. The school has a student body of 8,500 and offers 24 occupational-focused associate degrees, 17 transfer-focused associate degrees, and 44 certificate programs. Las Positas College provides guaranteed transfer admission to over 50 colleges and universities for students who complete one of their transfer-focused associate degrees. Its performing arts program is particularly notable and offers associate degrees in theater arts and music, and numerous ensembles, dance groups, and art clubs. Among the school’s values are civic, social, and environmental responsibility and adherence to anti-racist policies and practices. Las Positas is a sanctuary campus for undocumented students and welcomes international students. Students from 29 different countries are represented on campus. Additionally, the school is committed to sustainability and has LEED facilities, recycling and paper reduction practices, and solar parking structures.

Part of the South Orange County Community College District, Irvine Valley College is an open-admissions community college located in Irvine. The school offers 159 associate degrees and certificate programs. Nearly 60% of the 14,000 students at Irvine Valley College enter the school with plans to transfer after completing their associate degree. The school has the highest rate of students transferring to four-year schools out of all 116 community colleges in the state. Twenty-four transfer-focused associate degrees are available, including an Associate of Science in Chemistry, an Associate of Arts in Political Science, and an Associate of Arts in Live Entertainment Technology. Transfer admission agreements exist with six schools in the University of California system, including Irvine, Davis, and Santa Cruz. To assist with transferring, the school has an excellent Transfer Center whose staff provides transfer information, services, and activities.

Located in Walnut, Mt. San Antonio College is a large, diverse community college with federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution. The school has over 50,000 students, half of whom are enrolled in the school’s 240 associate degree and certificate programs. Associate degree programs include an Associate of Science in Agricultural Sciences and Technology, an Associate of Science in Nursing, and an Associate of Arts in Humanities. Mt. San Antonio College also offers five bachelor’s degree programs on campus which is a high number for a community college. These programs are partnerships with four-year institutions and include a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of La Verne.

Moorpark College is one of three Ventura County Community College District schools. Located in the community of Moorpark, it's a medium-sized school with about 14,000 students, nearly a quarter of whom are over age 24. The school has one of the only Exotic Animal and Training Management Programs in the country and is only one of two schools nationwide that has a zoo on campus. About 125 animals live in the zoo, which is called America's Teaching Zoo. It is used as a training facility for students and is also open to the public. The school also offers a unique financial aid program called the Moorpark College Promise that provides Dream Act recipients and California residents with full tuition for two years - even those that do not qualify for federal financial aid.

One of three community colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, Diablo Valley College, has a student body of 28,000 spread out between two campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. The school’s transfer rate to four-year universities is 67 percent higher than the national average. Among the two-year degrees offered is an Associate of Science in Addiction Studies, an Associate of Arts in Drama Theater, and an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education. The school is very welcoming of veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents and has a Student Veterans Alliance. In 2016 Diablo Valley College opened a Student Veterans Resource Center on campus with dedicated study areas, a computer lab, a student meeting space, a lounge, and a kitchenette. Veterans and dependents also receive free tutoring services, printing, academic counseling, and laptop borrowing.

Santa Barbara City College was founded in 1909 and is one of the oldest community colleges in California. It has a student population of 18,000 and offers 31 transfer-focused associate degrees, along with regular associate degrees and certificate programs. Several associate degrees are in niche areas, such as an Associate in Science in Cancer Information Management, an Associate of Arts in Chicano Studies, and an Associate of Science in Marine Diving Technician. Santa Barbara City College’s faculty have won many national awards and honors from organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, American Library Association, and the Carnegie Foundation. The school’s vision is to build a socially conscious community where knowledge and respect empower individuals to transform the world.

Imperial Valley College stands out for having the best graduation rate among the community colleges, listed at 40%. Located in the rural community of Imperial, the school has 7,000 students and offers 24 associate degrees for transfer and over 50 regular associate degrees and certificates. Specific degree choices include an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity, an Associate of Arts in American Sign Language, and an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services. Imperial Valley College offers an abundance of student supports on campus, including a food pantry, mental health counseling, undocumented student resources, and a transfer student center. The school also has a strong career services center offering job placement assistance, interview preparation, career assessments, and even a professional clothing closet.

Nearly 80 associate degree options and 100 academic certificate choices are available at De Anza College, a large community college in Cupertino. Associate degree choices include vocational-focused programs like private security, automotive machining, and real estate and transfer-focused programs like journalism, economics, and computer science. A unique feature of De Anza College is that it offers school-sponsored, optional learning communities for students to connect with a network of classmates, teachers, and advisers. Learning communities include Future Leaders of the World, Latinx Empowerment at De Anza, and the Men of Color Community. There is also a learning community called Humanities Mellon Scholars for students majoring in the humanities. Members of the learning community who meet the eligibility requirements are guaranteed admission to the University of San Francisco and up to $20,000 in scholarships upon completing their associate degree at De Anza College.

Foothill College serves 13,000 students in northern Santa Clara County at Los Altos Hills and Sunnyvale Center campuses. The community college offers 82 associate degrees and 108 certificates. There is also one bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene, which is not an open-admissions program. Associate in Arts for Transfer Degrees include those in art history, social justice, and elementary teacher education. The school has a very active student activities program, and dozens of pre-professionals, affinity and recreational organizations are available, including the Black Student Union, Women in STEM Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club Team, and the Gender and Sexualities Alliance. Additional student activities include 12 varsity sports, an active student government, a dance squad for athletic events, and Community Ambassador Program.

Considered California’s premiere “destination” community college, Lake Tahoe Community College attracts students from around the world due to its location atop the Sierra Nevada Mountain range on the California and Nevada border. Its wilderness location allows students to experience unique recreational and academic experiences with considerable hands-on learning. Examples include the school’s Associate of Arts degree in Wilderness Education and Outdoor Leadership with courses like Wilderness Exploration and an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science that exposes students to wildland fire service careers. There are 16 other associate degrees, including a new Associate of Science in Forestry program with an internship and work component. Students in the forestry program are eligible for scholarships from the Tahoe Fund.