Best Community Colleges in Connecticut of 2024

With multiple campuses and distance learning options, Middlesex Community College (MxCC) is the intelligent pick for affordable tuition. Middlesex not only boasts the least expensive cost per credit of any school in Connecticut but also guarantees small class sizes for its students. On campus, there’s a wide range of social clubs, including gaming, dance, theater, and a car club to help folks find their community. If on-campus learning isn’t accessible, Middlesex offers online and distance learning options where students receive the same personalized academic support as students taking campus classes. For those students looking to join the workforce as soon as possible, MxCC offers a wide variety of non-credit and certificate programs to jumpstart a new career.

Named in 2021 as one of the most military-friendly schools, Manchester Community College (MCC) surpasses the national standard for veterans by offering top-notch education and programs that fit any schedule. Whether a traditional or returning learner, MCC offers classes online and in-person on days, evenings, and weekends, so students can find a program that works best for them. At MCC, learning isn’t solely relegated to the classroom, and MCC partners with local businesses and community organizations to connect students with professionals in their field. While constantly evolving its offerings, MCC is dedicated to making higher education a stepping stone to a successful future through career services and cooperative student internships to set students up for the next stage of their lives.

Whether fresh out of high school or returning to school after a long hiatus, Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) has got you covered through its Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program. First-time college students and residents who graduated from a CT high school can apply for the PACT program, which covers three years of tuition/fees and up to 72 credits. There’s no age requirement, so anyone who meets their guidelines can apply and potentially receive funding. Applications are accepted four times a year, and while QVCC doesn’t participate in Federal student loan programs, aid in the form of state and Federal grants is plentiful. With little effort, students can find the degree and financial support to make their future a reality.

Home to nearly a third of all advanced manufacturing jobs in New England, Connecticut is the best place to find a career in Advanced Manufacturing. However, Asnuntuck Community College has some of the most unique opportunities for enrollees. Since 1998, Asnuntuck Community College (ACC) has trained more than 9000+ students at their Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. ACC has established relationships with area manufacturers and employers so students can receive on-site job training during their degree. Due to these close professional relationships, Asnuntuck Community College claims over 90% of their students graduate with a job and without any student debt. Their new state-of-the-art mechatronics lab advertises a Fanuc Robotic arm.

Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC) is a small campus in Winsted. Students can find a plethora of wallet-friendly programs and student-centered resources that help bridge the affordability gap. Northwestern CT incorporates alternative materials, also known as Open Educational Resources (OER), into many of its class offerings so that students don’t blow their budget on textbooks. Students can search for these courses during registration, called #NoLo, and sign up for courses with textbook costs of $40 or less. Northwestern CT Community College has no shortage of financial aid support to help young adults achieve their educational goals without a financial hangover.

With two campuses, one in Danbury and one in Waterbury, Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) is the perfect pick for students pursuing a two-year Associate program with the resources of a four-year college. NVCC has hundreds of programs for students on a budget, including workforce education to help meet their educational and occupational goals. NVCC makes it simple for students to find their area of study with onsite career coaches and help them seamlessly transition to four-year institutions. Nursing and Computer Information Systems consistently make their top five programs, alongside Psychology, General Studies, and Business Management. Students interested in healthcare or computer programming can find a program suited for them at NVCC on a picturesque campus close to local transportation.

Housatonic Community College (HCC) is at the forefront of STEAM, a blend of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math to create the next generation of critical thinkers and builders. Housatonic Community College has over forty associate degree and certificate opportunities to prepare students for transferring to four-year institutions and the future labor market. Students at HCC have an innovative foundation to explore their interests in addition to a diversity and inclusion-focused curriculum that seeks to close the racial and gender education pay disparities within the current STEM landscape.

In 2021, Norwalk Community College launched an initiative called UPLIFT to empower male students of color to reach their highest potential. The program provides academic guidance and support and is designed to recruit, retain, and graduate men of color. Paid internships are available for interested students to attain valuable work experience while attending classes. One-on-one mentoring is also a compelling feature of UPLIFT, pairing students with qualified mentors of similar backgrounds or experiences. NCC prioritizes the academic achievement of men of color in tangible ways that students can benefit from while pursuing their passion.

The Culinary Arts Associate of Arts at Gateway Community College (GCC) combines classroom, labs, and work experiences to round out their curriculum. Students in the culinary program get the opportunity to prepare and serve meals at Café Vincenzo, an on-campus restaurant, to faculty, staff, and the larger public. Students can work at their own pace and enroll in the program full- or part-time, day or evening. By the end of the course, students have completed a comprehensive internship, simultaneously earning credits and valuable work experience. Gateway’s Culinary Arts and Professional Baker Certificate Programs are solid choices for aspiring chefs and bakers to chase their culinary dreams in Greater New Haven.