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What is a Community College?

A community college, sometimes known as a junior college is a higher education institution that provides a two-year curriculum that can lead to an associate’s degree. Other programs in place include a transfer program towards a four-year degree and occupational programs, one and two-year programs of study. Besides coursework focusing on academic programs, courses are also often offered at the community college for personal growth or development.

Historically, community colleges sprang up in the early 20th-century as a way to meet young adults’ needs who did not or could not afford to leave their families to pursue further education. Early on, many community colleges helped support African Americans and women who wanted to go to college. Many students prepared for grammar school teaching positions or enrolled in new vocational education programs in community colleges. These smaller schools were developed locally, in communities, further distinguishing them from typical four-year schools which had campuses where students needed to leave home and stay in student dorms.

Traditionally, the community college student went to school to pick up a two-year degree. Now it is quite common for community college students to continue on in their education within a four-year college, thus transferring their community college credits.

In this video, the College Course discusses why you should go to community college before you go to university.

What can you study at a Community College?

Many of the subjects taught in a four-year college are also taught in a community college. Most students attending community colleges pursue the following endeavors:

• Associate degrees (Two-year degrees).
• Transfer Programs. A transfer program is a program of study that a student takes while planning to transfer the credits earned to a program within a four-year college. Transfer programs do not necessarily culminate in a 2-year associate degree, hence the distinction.
• One-year certificates used to certify that the student has a completed a minimum required set of coursework for a chosen vocational field. Examples of one-year certificates offered at Colby Community College in Kansas include the Administrative Medical Assisting Certificate, the Management Certificate, and the Practical Nursing Certificate. Many times, these one-year certificates prepare students for licensure examinations.
• Career studies (including continuing education coursework).

This short video entitled Why I Love Community College gives you an overview of community colleges.

How do Community Colleges differ from Four Year Colleges?

Two additional differences between community colleges and four-year colleges focus on on-campus living and admissions policies.

Community colleges are not set up so that students can live on campus. Students are expected to live at home with their parents or live on their own in apartments. There is no on-campus housing available on community college campuses. This is markedly different from most four-year colleges where most students, at least lower-level students, live on campus. The exceptions are four-year colleges located in extremely populated cities where their “campus” maybe a city block as opposed to acres of green lawns and dorm buildings.

The second major difference is the admissions policy. Most community colleges have an “open access” policy. While there is an application process, community colleges do not promote a competitive application process. If a student wants to enroll, they generally can. While the open access policy is true for public (i.e. state-run) community colleges, there are privately owned community colleges that may follow their own admissions policies and have other criteria for admissions.

Why attend a Community College?

Consider the following benefits to attending a community college:

• Cost. On average, attending a community college will be less expensive than attending a four-year college. According to the Educationdata.org , the average annual tuition for a public community college is $3,300 for in-district students and $8,200 for out-of-district students. Shippensburg University, a public four-year university, annual tuition costs approximately $30,000. At Harrisburg Area Community College, a community college about an hour away, tuition costs $20,000. At Dickinson College, a small private college in the area, tuition runs $73,000. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can lower the cost of higher education. Always ask about financial aid even if you think that you do not qualify.
• When a student has not picked a major: If the student does not know what he or she wants to do or has not picked a major yet, going to a community college can help them do their general underclass work. They can finish their undergraduate level work without committing themselves to a four-year college that may end up not being the best choice given what they do end up majoring in. Although colleges can be compared one to one, they often have specific reputations for individual programs of study contained within each college or university (i.e. pre-law, pre-med, or engineering programs).
• When a student needs or wants to attend college part-time. Most community colleges have evening courses for students to attend after work. While private colleges usually expect students to attend full-time, most community colleges have programs in place to accommodate students who must pursue their studies part-time. According to the AACC, 62% of students attending community colleges go part-time with 38% of the student body attending full-time.
• When a student’s grades from high school are poor: Private and public four-year schools do not have to accept students. Community colleges are generally for everybody (at least the public ones). A student can go to a community college to help build up their GPA and then reapply to a four-year school with a better grade record.
• When the student wants a career-oriented degree that may not require a four-year degree, a community college may be a faster option: For example, Austin Community College in Texas, provides a one year Texas Peace Officer Certificate (34 credits), an Automotive Brake and Suspension Certificate (24 credits), and a Pharmacy Technician Certificate (24 credits) among many others.

Learn about the benefits of attending community college in this brief video.

Considerations with Attending a Community College

There may be some considerations when community colleges :

• Students will likely not have an on-campus living experience while attending community college. Some feel that the social atmosphere offered by on-campus living is an integral part of the development and the entire college experience. The student’s ability to make and develop friends may be limited in the community college setting since students go home after classes.
• Community colleges may not have additional programs like sports, drama and dance groups, marching bands, cheerleading, etc. that one would find with four-year colleges.
• The student needs to be careful about “Articulation Agreements.” Many students attend community college with the idea that they will transfer after finishing their associate’s degree and continue their education at a four-year college. What they have to watch out for is that all of their coursework is, indeed, transferable and will be counted as required credits at their target transfer college. The College Board explains that the Articulation Agreement is the agreement that four-year schools often have with community colleges which outlines that once the student has successfully finished their transfer program at the two-year college, they will be accepted into the four-year school as a junior. These agreements are routinely updated so do not rely on old information when planning which community/four-year college to go to. For example, Shippensburg University has an Academic Passport Program with 23 community colleges nearby in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. This means if a student wants to maximize the number of credits that they complete at the community college which will convey over to Shippensburg University, they should probably limit their community college to one of the 23 that has an “Academic Passport Program” with Shippensburg.

Ultimately, both community colleges and four-year colleges offer students choices to pursue continuing education in whatever format that makes sense for them. Knowing what is available and how community colleges are different from four-year colleges can help potential students make smart decisions regarding their education.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @communitycollegereview

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Everything You Need to Know About Community Colleges: FAQ

Small class sizes, affordability and faculty who are focused on teaching are among the benefits of a community college.

What to Know About Community Colleges

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Usually the highest degree a student can earn at a community college is an associate degree.

• What is community college?
• How are community colleges different from four-year colleges and universities?
• What are the benefits of attending a community college?
• What types of jobs are available to community college graduates?
• What is a technical college?

Applying to Community College

• Do I have to apply for admission to attend a community college?
• Can I attend a community college while still in high school?
• Do I need to take any placement tests to register for community college courses?
• What is remedial education and course work?
• Can I attend a community college outside of my hometown or state?
• Is it easy to transfer to a four-year college or university from a community college?

Academics at Community Colleges

• What kinds of credentials can be earned at a community college?
• What is the difference between credit and noncredit classes?
• Do community colleges offer flexible courses?

Student Life at Community Colleges

• Do international students attend community colleges?
• Do community colleges offer extracurricular activities?

Campus Services at Community Colleges

• Do community colleges offer career services to students and graduates?
• What types of opportunities do community colleges offer to nontraditional adult learners?
• What types of services do community colleges offer to military veterans?
• Do community colleges offer housing?
• What types of services do community colleges offer to multilingual learners?

Cost and Financial Aid at Community Colleges

• How do community college costs compare to four-year colleges and universities?
• Do community colleges offer financial aid?

What Is Community College?

Community colleges are primarily public higher education institutions that strive to provide affordable education that's accessible to all.

An associate degree, which takes about two years to complete full time, is usually the highest degree available, but community college students can also receive certificates and job training. Many students begin their postsecondary studies at community colleges before transferring to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree.

"A community college is a place-based institution where you can traditionally go as quickly or as slowly as you would like," says Jee Hang Lee, president and CEO of the nonprofit Association of Community College Trustees. "It provides you an affordable higher education model that is publicly supported by the community and by the state."

How Are Community Colleges Different From Four-Year Colleges and Universities?

The types of degrees offered is one of the main differences between community colleges and four-year colleges and universities, says Shanna Smith Jaggars, assistant vice provost and director of the Student Success Research Lab at Ohio State University—Columbus .

Four-year colleges and universities award bachelor's degrees, many also award graduate and doctoral degrees and most have more selective admissions than community colleges. Almost all community colleges are open access, which means almost anyone who applies is accepted.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Community College?

Small class sizes, affordability, convenience and faculty who are focused on teaching – as opposed to research – are often cited as the main benefits of attending a community college.

"Community colleges provide that really good, affordable option in higher education," says Mark D'Amico, professor of higher education at the University of North Carolina—Charlotte . "Community colleges are always changing, creating new programs to meet current workforce needs, to help individuals get skills for jobs that are available now."

What Types of Jobs Are Available to Community College Graduates?

The most popular associate degrees for community college graduates include liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Some of the fastest-growing careers for people with associate degrees are dental hygienists, paralegals and legal assistants, and preschool teachers, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections for 2021 to 2031.

What Is a Technical College?

Technical colleges tend to focus on credentials that lead directly to the workforce, Jaggars says. Some community colleges are technical colleges, while others are transfer-focused, she says, meaning they aim to ultimately get students into four-year programs.

Other community colleges offer a blend of both kinds of educational programs.

Applying to Community Colleges

Do i have to apply for admission to attend a community college.

Students may have to submit an application, but most community colleges have open admissions policies. This means that students typically do not have to fulfill any academic requirements or submit SAT or ACT scores to compete with others for admission.

Almost anyone who applies to a community college with open admissions is accepted. However, community colleges may have selective admissions to certain high-demand programs such as nursing, Jaggars says. But if a student doesn't qualify for a specific program, there are generally other options.

Community colleges usually review and admit applicants year-round .

Can I Attend a Community College While Still in High School?

Most high school students can take college courses at a community college, usually within a dual-enrollment program . In these programs, high school students take community college courses and receive both high school and college credits. Sometimes these courses are held at the student's high school.

Do I Need to Take Any Placement Tests to Register for Community College Courses?

Most new students at community colleges have to take placement tests in subjects like math and reading before registering for classes.

Two-year schools that require placement tests use the scores to determine if a student should complete remedial coursework, sometimes called "developmental education," before enrolling in college-level classes.

However, more community and other two-year colleges are relying on methods other than placement tests and standardized test scores to determine college readiness, including high school GPA, according to a 2019 study by the Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness.

What Is Remedial Education and Coursework?

Remedial education aims to prepare students who are considered underprepared for college-level courses.

Seventy percent of community college students are advised to take at least one such developmental course, according to the Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. These courses are usually noncredit.

Most community colleges offer developmental courses for institutional credit. This means that students in these courses are part of an accredited program and qualify for federal financial aid , but the classes do not count toward graduation requirements.

Can I Attend a Community College Outside of My Hometown or State?

Students can attend a community college in another state. However, some districts charge higher tuition to out-of-district and out-of-state students. The average in-district tuition and fees for full-time students at public two-year colleges ranged from $1,430 in California to $8,660 in Vermont in 2022-2023, according to the College Board.

"But students typically attend the closest or most convenient community college; most don't seem to 'shop around' for different colleges, probably because they need something that is nearby to work or family obligations," Jaggars wrote in an email.

Is It Easy to Transfer to a Four-Year College or University From a Community College?

The ease of transferring from a community college to a four-year college or university varies greatly based on many factors, including the state of residence and the educational institutions involved.

Transferring is becoming easier for some, says D'Amico, depending on the state, institution and the student's major.

"Understand how courses transfer in to particular degree programs," he advises. "It's not just that a course will transfer, it's how it will transfer."

D'Amico suggests students meet with an experienced adviser to discuss which credits will transfer, whether the institution has an agreement with nearby colleges to ensure credits transfer and whether those credits will count as electives or toward a major's requirements.

Students can take advantage of articulation agreements – which generally confirm that the credits earned at one institution will apply at another – to make the process easier. But policies vary greatly by state and institution.

Community college students considering transferring should start thinking about their educational goals and plan for transfer as soon as possible, experts say.

Academics at Community College

What kinds of credentials can be earned at a community college.

Community colleges mainly award associate degrees, which usually take about two years to complete full time.

There are mainly three types of associate degrees: an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Science and an Associate of Applied Science. The first two are often used as a pathway to a bachelor's degree and are considered condensed versions of bachelor's degree programs, as they include a mix of general education requirements and elective courses.

Workers with only a high school diploma earn a median of $1.6 million during their lifetimes, while associate degree-holders earn a median of $2 million, according to a 2021 report from Georgetown University 's Center on Education and the Workforce. Average lifetime earnings jump to $2.8 million for bachelor's degree-holders.

Postsecondary certificates, which can take anywhere from a few months to several years to complete, are also awarded at community colleges.

Most certificate programs are highly focused on a specific field and are geared toward particular occupations, similar to associate of applied science degrees. Occupations projected to see much faster than average growth from 2021 to 2031 and that require only a certificate include wind turbine technicians, dental assistants and massage therapists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Postsecondary certificates are earned for college credit and those courses could eventually be applied toward graduation requirements in a formal degree program, such as an associate degree.

Though not very common, the number of community colleges offering bachelor's degrees is growing. Two-year colleges in 24 states grant bachelor's degrees, according to the Community College Baccalaureate Association.

What Is the Difference Between Credit and Noncredit Classes?

Classes that are earned for credit count toward graduation requirements in an accredited program of study, such as in an associate degree program, Jaggars says.

Noncredit classes do not count toward graduation requirements. These courses are generally for unaccredited programs, certifications or exam prep, she adds, and do not qualify for federal financial aid.

Do Community Colleges Offer Flexible Courses?

Community colleges typically offer online classes. Most students who take online courses at a community college take one or two per semester for flexibility around their work schedule, but they fill out the rest of their course schedule with in-person classes, Jaggars says.

Online classes at a community college can offer benefits such as convenience and affordability, according to some experts.

Working students can also take night or weekend classes. However, many community colleges offer limited numbers of evening and weekend classes, so students who need flexibility may have to take online courses instead, Jaggars says.

Do International Students Attend Community Colleges?

More than 49,000 international students attended U.S. community colleges during the 2021-2022 school year, a 12.5% decrease from the year prior, according to data from the Institute of International Education. This represents slightly over 5% of all international student enrollment at colleges in the U.S.

International students often attend community colleges because this path can cut costs in half.

Federal law allows some nonimmigrant international students to stay in the U.S. for up to one year after completing an associate degree.

Prospective international students can research U.S. community colleges by visiting individual community college websites and the American Association of Community Colleges website, among other resources .

Do Community Colleges Offer Extracurricular Activities?

Despite the notion that community colleges offer limited opportunities to connect with other students outside of class, most community colleges have a variety of student clubs and organizations that allow students to socialize with their peers.

Many offer athletic opportunities, too. Dozens of community colleges compete against one another in sports and are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Do Community Colleges Offer Career Services to Students and Graduates?

Many community colleges have career services offices that offer resources such as career counseling or workshops on creating resumes, for example.

Another benefit is that community college instructors typically have a background in industry , not academia, unlike the typical background of instructors at four-year colleges and universities. Community college instructors often can offer their students a real-world perspective of the field they are studying.

What Types of Opportunities Do Community Colleges Offer to Nontraditional Adult Learners?

The types of services available at community colleges vary by institution, but many offer some resources to assist nontraditional adult learners who may be juggling school with work, family and other obligations. For instance, some community colleges offer day care centers for students' children, food or clothing banks, and flexible course delivery options.

In certain cases, community college students may also be able to earn credit for what they already know, such as through a job or the military, via  prior learning assessments .

What Types of Services Do Community Colleges Offer to Military Veterans?

Most community colleges have programs or services designed to assist members of the military and veterans. In fact, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be helping students succeed in community college. Virginia's Montgomery GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits to qualifying veterans and service members who served at least two years of active duty.

Veterans may also benefit from states and colleges that waive some forms of tuition for those in the military.

Do Community Colleges Offer Dorms?

Most community colleges are commuter schools and do not have housing for students, while four-year colleges and universities typically offer living facilities. About 28% of public community colleges provide on-campus housing, according to data from the American Association of Community Colleges.

International students considering community college may want to look into homestay programs, where students pay a fee to stay in a private room of a host family or individual near the school.

What Types of Services Do Community Colleges Offer to Multilingual Learners?

Many community colleges offer English language classes to students whose first language is not English, which can help prepare them for a college-level English writing class. Community colleges may be a good fit for international students because they generally have low tuition rates and offer students an easier transition to U.S.-style academics, experts say.

The types of services offered at community colleges aim to cater to the specific needs of its local community, D'Amico says. For example, an area with a high population of non-English speakers can expect to see more resources and courses to meet that need at the local community college.

How Do Community College Costs Compare to Four-Year Colleges and Universities?

Community colleges tend to be considerably cheaper than four-year colleges and universities.

At public four-year colleges in 2022-2023, the average in-state tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students were $10,940 while tuition and fees for their out-of-state counterparts were $28,240, according to the College Board's 2022 Trends in College Pricing report . Comparatively, the average in-district tuition and fees for full-time students at public two-year colleges in the same year were $3,860.

Do Community Colleges Offer Financial Aid?

Sixty-four percent of community college students received a financial aid offer, according to the annual Sallie Mae/Ipsos survey " How America Pays for College ."

In most cases, the same kind of financial aid available to students at four-year institutions is available at community colleges. The Pell Grant , federal student loans, state aid and institutional aid are among the most common forms of financial aid that community college students receive.

Many community colleges also offer financial support outside of educational expenses, including lower-cost housing or transportation vouchers.

"Over the last decade or so, community colleges have been more in tune around basic needs for students and have tried to find additional resources for our students. That means finding resources that aren't in your 'traditional financial aid system,'" Lee says.

Trying to fund your education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News  Paying for College  center.

25 Highest-Paying Associate Degree Jobs

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Community College: FAQ

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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Community Colleges

What is community college.

Community college is the most common type of two-year college. These colleges offer many types of educational programs, including those that lead to associate degrees and certificates. Certificates and some types of associate degrees focus on career readiness. Other types of associate degrees are good preparation for study at a four-year college where graduates can earn a bachelor’s degree.

Can I get financial aid for community college?

Even though tuition at community college is usually low, financial aid is available. The federal Pell Grant, for example, is open to students attending any accredited postsecondary institution. You can even qualify if you go part time. The Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA®) is available for community college students as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Filling out the FAFSA will make you eligible for federal- and state-based financial aid, including student loans, grants, and work-study programs.

What students go to community college?

More than 40% of U.S. undergraduate students attend community colleges. Students who are 18 to 24 years old make up the largest age group. Community colleges also attract working adults, retirees, and others who want to learn.

How can a community college help my career path?

At a community college, you can:

Save money : Costs are typically much lower than those at four-year colleges. According to the 2021 Community College Review, public community colleges on average charge $5,155 yearly for in-state students and $8,835 for out-of-state students. As a point of comparison, our report shows that the average 2021-22 annual tuition for public four-year colleges was $10,740 for in-state students and $27,560 for out-of-state students.

Prepare to transfer to a four-year college : Many community college graduates decide to transfer to four-year schools to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Smart planning can help ensure that the credits you earn will count toward your degree at the four-year college you hope to attend. Find out more about transferring.

Get ready for a career : If you want to enter the workforce sooner, you can earn a certificate or degree in a career-oriented field, such as firefighting or engineering technology.

Try out college : Most programs are open admission. This means that you can go to college even if your high school grades aren’t strong. A community college is also a good option if you’re not sure you’re ready for college. You’ll have a chance to challenge yourself and see if college is right for you.

Take advantage of a flexible schedule : Most community colleges offer an element of convenience to students. You can attend full time or part time, as well as schedule your courses around home and work commitments. There’s a campus within a short driving distance of most towns in the United States.

You can use College Search to find a community college that’s a good fit for you.

How can a community college help me decide what to do with my life?

You can explore different subjects before committing to a program without having to be too concerned about tuition costs. If you take a wide range of courses─including those in the liberal arts and those that are career oriented─you can explore several different options in one place. Many community colleges offer intensive counseling that can help you assess your abilities, interests, and educational options.

Is open admission really that common?

To succeed in college, you need a solid foundation of reading, writing, and math skills. If you didn’t establish this foundation in high school, you may have to take remedial, or catch-up, courses at a community college. They are also called developmental or basic skills courses. These courses don’t count toward your degree, so graduating will take you longer and cost you more if you’re not prepared. You’ll probably take placement tests when you start college. The results will reveal whether you need to take any catch-up courses before beginning college-level study.

Is there an on-campus community?

Unlike residential colleges, many community colleges lack on-campus housing. Most students live nearby. Therefore, many of these colleges make a special effort to build a sense of community on campus. You’ll find a wide variety of activities, similar to those at four-year colleges.

Has anyone famous gone to community college?

• Gwendolyn Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
• Eileen Collins, former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut
• Joyce Luther Kennard, California Supreme Court justice
• Jeanne Kirkpatrick, former United Nations ambassador
• Nolan Ryan, retired Major League Baseball professional athlete
• Jim Lehrer, news anchor
• Robert Moses, choreographer and dance company founder
• Sam Shepard, Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright
• Tom Hanks, Academy Award-winning actor
• James Sinegal, cofounder and chief executive officer of Costco
• Maxwell Taylor, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Guy Fieri, restaurateur and TV chef personality
• Morgan Freeman, Academy Award−winning actor

How do I prepare myself for community college?

Preparing for community college starts with creating a path to reach your goals. Map out the courses you have to take to complete your degree program. If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree, your plan should include taking courses with credits that you can transfer to a university. Another way to prepare is to make a preliminary study schedule for your courses that you can adjust as needed. Dedicate yourself to absorbing as much knowledge as you can from each of your instructors.

How do I succeed in community college?

Developing effective time management skills can help you to find success in community college. This means setting aside an adequate amount of study time for each of your courses. It’s also important to allow yourself enough time to research and write papers as well as study for tests. Asking questions in class and joining study groups can also contribute to your success in community college.

Do you have to apply to community college?

Yes. You need to apply. Community colleges have admission requirements and application deadlines just as four-year colleges do. Sending in your application as soon as possible gives you time to ensure you’ve included all of the necessary documents.

What are the advantages of going to community college?

One of the biggest advantages is it takes less time to complete community college than to earn a university degree. In short, you can finish school more quickly and start your career. Many community colleges are two-year schools where you can earn an associate degree to prepare you for a career. Another major advantage of going to community college is the cost. Community college is more affordable than most four-year schools.

Are community colleges free?

As of 2022, 20 states offer tuition-free community college for eligible students. Different states have their own eligibility criteria for community college applicants. High school GPA, full-time student status, and in-state residency are examples of eligibility criteria. To learn more about free community college opportunities, reach out to your state's education agency .

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Enter your primary California Community College and then search for the class you would like to take. You can search by keyword, course name, or general education requirement. Once your search results are returned, you can filter by term, live seat counts, start date, teaching college, and transferability.

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Instant enrollment allows current California Community College students to enroll in a class without filling out a separate application. If you see a class section listing with Add Class next to it, you will be prompted to enter your personal information and agree to consent before being instantly enrolled in the class.

Does my priority registration status count at the Teaching College?

Instant enrollment is only available during the participating colleges’ open registration period; therefore, all eligible students regardless of priority status have equal access and opportunity to register for courses.

Will my financial aid transfer to the Teaching College?

All participating colleges have signed a Federal Financial Aid Consortium Agreement, so students enrolled in two different colleges may be able to receive federal and state financial aid funds based on combined units taken at both colleges. To check your status, please contact your Home College’s Financial Aid Office.

If I drop a class, can I request a refund?

Refunds are subject to the policies and procedures of the college offering the course. For more information, see our refunds page.

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