Best Community Colleges in New York of 2023

CUNY Kingsborough Community College is part of the esteemed City University of New York community college system and is the only community college in Brooklyn. Routinely ranked among the best community colleges in the entire country, CUNY Kingsborough offers first-rate academics at an affordable price and in a flexible, accessible atmosphere. You can choose to study on campus, in a hybrid format, or 100% online, depending on what best fits your schedule and goals. Whichever path you choose, you’ll benefit from CUNY Kingsborough’s outstanding student support services, many of which can be accessed remotely. CUNY Kingsborough offers over 50 academic programs in fields as varied as Accounting, Fashion Design, and Earth and Planetary Sciences. If you’re looking to earn your associate degree as quickly as possible, check out the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs.

Like CUNY Kingsborough, CUNY Queensborough Community College is also a renowned institution within the City University of New York community college system. Located in Bayside, Queens, CUNY Queensborough stands out not just for its fantastic academics but also its extensive student support services. These services include the Center for Tutoring and Academic Support, the Mathematics Learning Center, the Counseling Center, and tech support, among others. These services ensure you’re able to make the most of your time at CUNY Queensborough and remain healthy and in good standing academically. CUNY Queensborough boasts some impressive statistics: 66% of students attend tuition-free, 90% of students graduate without federal student loan debt, and 81% of CUNY Queensborough faculty hold a doctorate or terminal degree in their field.

CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College, founded in September 2011, is the newest community college in the CUNY system. Guttman is located on West 40th Street in Midtown Manhattan, near Bryant Park, and has one of the most diverse community college populations in the country: 93% of the student body identifies as people of color, and the college is a designated Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institution. In 2020, Niche ranked Guttman the #1 community college in America. Guttman’s three-year graduation rate is more than twice the national average, and the college’s innovative academic model features an 11-month academic year, required full-time attendance for all first-year students, and an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning in the laboratory of NYC.

Located in Garden City, Long Island, Nassau Community College is one of the largest single-campus community colleges in the state of New York. NCC is situated on a beautiful 225-acre campus and features 67 degree programs and 25 certificate programs in nearly 80 fields of study. The average class size is 22, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with your peers and professors. Perhaps most distinctive about NCC is its abundance of student groups and student activities. You can choose from over 110 student clubs, so chances are you’ll have ample opportunities to interact with like-minded peers. NCC also has 25 athletic teams, which you can either try out for or support as a fan.

Suffolk County Community College is a public community college in Selden, New York, and is part of the State University of New York system. Suffolk is very veteran-friendly. In the lead up for Veterans Day, for instance, the college hosts an entire week of events to honor those who have served the country. This includes everything from film screenings to veterans panels. Beyond Veterans Day, Suffolk welcomes veterans and military-affiliated members of the community, proudly serving 600 such students every year. Suffolk not only helps you maximize your veteran benefits but also assists you in adjusting to civilian life and preparing for the next stage in your career. Suffolk has been recognized by many media outlets for its veteran- and military-friendly campus.

Hostos Community College, located in South Bronx, New York, is another member of the City University of New York system. Hostos has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs, many of which are grant-funded and free to you. If you’re interested in an associate degree, you can choose among Hostos’s 28 offerings in career-oriented fields like Dental Hygiene, Computer Science, and Early Childhood Education. Nearly 60% of Hostos’s students are Hispanic, so the college offers many courses in Spanish and has strong English as a Second Language programs.

SUNY Jamestown Community College is a member of the State University of New York system and has campuses in Jamestown, Olean, and Dunkirk, all of which are located in rural western New York state. If you live in this region, you can elect to study in person on one of the campuses, and if you live far away or your schedule doesn’t allow for in-person classes, you can also study 100% online. JCC’s mission is to “change lives,” whether that be by helping you lay the groundwork for a bachelor’s degree or preparing you for the needs of the 21st century workplace. If you’re looking for a strong education in rural western New York, JCC could be a good fit.

Herkimer College is located approximately 15 miles south of Utica, New York, and is a member of the State University of New York system. At Herkimer, 86% of students receive some form of financial aid, and the college makes tuition and related fees as affordable as possible. For example, in the 2022-2023 academic year, Herkimer froze in-state tuition rates, meaning tuition will not increase annually as it does at most colleges. Furthermore, Herkimer reduced tuition fees for out-of-state students, making it more affordable than ever to attend. Herkimer also participates in the BookMarket program through Barnes & Noble College, which enables you to get textbooks at a fraction of the cost you would otherwise pay.

North Country Community College is located in Saranac Lake in the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains. It is part of the State University of New York system and has additional locations in Malone and Ticonderoga. Unlike many community colleges, North Country offers on-campus housing and has a bustling residential life. You can get accommodation in suite-style living with single and double bedroom housing that is close to campus hubs like the athletics complex, dining hall, library, and academic buildings. You have access to a resident meal plan that provides a minimum of 14 meals per week plus flex dollars, and residential life staff are on call 24/7 to assist you with any issues related to housing or residential life.

Finger Lakes Community College is a public community college located in Canandaigua, New York, that is affiliated with the State University of New York system and sponsored by Ontario County. FLCC streamlines everything from admissions to course registration through its convenient One Stop Center, which houses admissions, financial aid, academic advising, career and transfer services, registration, and student records. This means you don’t have to run around from one office to another trying to get the assistance you need; everything is easily accessible under one roof. Once you’re enrolled, you benefit from a wide range of over 50 in-demand study areas and a small, close-knit learning environment that offers personalized attention.