Community colleges have emerged as a popular option for students in Dallas who want to pursue an associate degree. The increasing student debt crisis and the growing need for in-demand skills have pushed people to look beyond private institutions. If you want to know the best community colleges in Dallas, continue reading this guide.
Along with looking at the best Dallas community colleges, you will learn more about their benefits. In-person and online community colleges are affordable and offer academic flexibility. Further, some community colleges offer excellent career opportunities to help you excel in science, technology, culinary arts, nursing, criminal justice, and more.
How We Defined Our Dallas Community College Rankings
We based our community college list on program popularity and availability. Apart from the tuition costs, financial aid, and location, students should also look at the wide range of certificate programs offered, job outlook, and transfer rate. Many of the listings below are separate campuses from Dallas College, but this is because they outrank other community colleges in the area.
The Dallas community colleges listed below offer some of the best offline and online programs and cost much less than a traditional college. You can also find additional benefits like a flexible schedule, career training, and student GoPass through DART for transportation. Moreover, living in Dallas can get you closer to a learning opportunity at a Fortune 500 company.
The Top 10 Community Colleges in Dallas
- Dallas College Brookhaven Campus
- Dallas College North Lake Campus
- North Central Texas College
- Dallas College Richland Campus
- Dallas College El Centro Campus
- Dallas College Mountain View Campus
- Collin College
- Tarrant County College
- Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus
- The University of Texas at Dallas
The Best Community Colleges in Dallas: Explained
1. Dallas College Brookhaven Campus
Dallas College is part of one of the largest community colleges in Texas. Every semester, the Brookhaven campus admits over 13,000 students across many fields. It offers various academic programs for accounting, pharmacy, nursing, business, and computer information science. Students need at least a GED and SAT scores to be eligible for application.
Best Dallas College Brookhaven Campus Programs
- Associate of Applied Science in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Child Development/Early Childhood Education
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Service Technician
- Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
2. Dallas College North Lake Campus
Set up in 1977, the Dallas College North Lake campus offers a blend of arts and technology. It has more than 100 majors in one or two-year certificate and degree programs. Students also get a chance to focus on sustainability studies. Further, students at North Lake can use the DART light rail station and shop for free at Blazer Student Store.
Best Dallas College North Lake Campus Programs
- Associate of Applied Science in Video Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Production and Design
- Associate of Applied Science in Logistics and Manufacturing Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Mortgage Banking
- Associate of Applied Science in Digital Art and Design
3. North Central Texas College
North Central Texas College is famous for its vocational programs in health sciences. It also offers more than 60 degrees and certificates in economics, health sciences, finance, and computer science. Further, the college supports adult continuing education and provides job-specific training. This college has six campuses in and around the Dallas area.
Best North Central Texas College Corinth Programs
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology
- Associate of Arts in Teaching
- Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
4. Dallas College Richland Campus
Part of Dallas College, Richland College has cutting-edge science teaching labs and all the contemporary industry-standard equipment students need. It also has learning centers for one-to-one tutoring assistance. Further, the Richland campus offers an enriching experience to basketball, baseball, wrestling, soccer, and volleyball athletes.
Best Dallas College Richland Campus Programs
- Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing
- Engineering Technology Certificate
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Accounting and Finance
- Associate of Arts Degree
5. Dallas College El Centro Campus
If you want to gain in-demand skills in health sciences, you should consider the Dallas College El Centro campus. It offers several specialization degrees and certificate courses, including dental hygiene, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cardiac sonography. Moreover, El Centro was the first Dallas college to offer a program in nursing.
Best Dallas College El Centro Campus Programs
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Marketing
- Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design
6. Dallas College Mountain View Campus
Mountain View College is a popular education hub at Dallas College. It has an open admission policy, which makes it unique. Further, it has an impressive 27-to-one student-faculty ratio. Mountain View College offers degree and certificate programs across business, marketing, education, liberal arts, and humanities.
Best Dallas College Mountain View Campus Programs
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy
- Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing
- Associate of Arts in Teaching
7. Collin College
The Collin County Community College District has a public college located in McKinney, half an hour away from Dallas. Collin College also has a high acceptance rate and many different workforce development programs for rewarding careers. In terms of cost, this college is affordable for local undergraduate students and international students alike.
Best Collin College Programs
- Associate of Science in Computer Science
- Associate of Arts in Nursing
- Associate of Science in Engineering
- Associate of Arts in Business
- Certificate in Business
8. Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College has one of the highest enrollment numbers among community colleges in Dallas. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including business, management, liberal arts, and science. Students can complete the core curriculum and transfer to a four-year institution or university without any hassle. Moreover, it has an open-door admission policy.
Best Tarrant County College Programs
- Associate of Arts in Music
- Associate of Arts in Visual Arts
- Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Communication
- Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management: Food Service Management
- Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
9. Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus
Cedar Valley College offers health, marketing, humanities, and liberal arts courses. It has cutting-edge equipment and modern STEM labs and camps to support tech programs. The college has a sundance market for existing students and a veterans’ lounge. This is one of the best junior colleges out there, with strong college life and many amenities.
Best Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus Programs
- Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement
- Associate of Applied Science in Commercial Music
- Associate of Applied Science in Biochemistry
10. The University of Texas at Dallas
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the University of Texas at Dallas has over 28,000 students. Although it is not a community college, it is a fantastic college education option in Dallas. Its academic programs cover a range of disciplines, and it offers many endowed scholarships and college credit courses. People who choose associate transfer programs can easily integrate at UT Dallas.
Best University of Texas at Dallas Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
- Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management
Other Dallas Community College Rankings
Many community colleges also offer distance learning by offering online degree courses or a hybrid classroom. Students who opt for a completely virtual experience can work and study simultaneously. As well, many Texas students choose nursing programs because of the strong healthcare programs at these community colleges. Read below to learn more about each of these new rankings.
Best Online Community Colleges in Dallas
- Wade College. This private institution offers completely online Associate Degrees in Marketing Management and Visual Communications. It has many signature programs and basic skills programs that you can take online.
- Remington College. Remington College is well-known for its convenient program options. It has a virtual campus and also allows students to study in a hybrid environment. All you need to enter this private state school is a high school diploma.
- Cedar Valley College. As part of Dallas College, students can earn an associate degree and add specific skills by opting for distance learning at Cedar Valley College. It offers both academic as well as technical degrees.
- Tarrant County College. This college offers a wide variety of online courses from different fields, including science, accounting, and business. The Tarrant County College District offers many career pathways for undergraduate students.
- Eastfield College. Eastfield College has an online campus that offers a range of 100 percent online degrees like an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts. This is an excellent school that offers online associate degree programs.
Best Community Colleges for Nursing in Dallas
- Dallas College Downtown Health Sciences Center. This sector of Dallas College is equipped with the latest classroom and laboratory technology to help students prepare for a career in allied health sciences.
- Tarrant Community College. Tarrant Community College offers a nursing education with clinical experience. Students can either choose to study on campus or go for blended learning where some of the classes are online.
- Dallas County Brookhaven Campus. The Brookhaven nursing program has a high retention rate and a strong rate of employment among graduates. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at Brookhaven College also makes students eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
- Dallas County Mountain View Campus. The nursing curriculum at Mountain View College offers students an opportunity to start hospital rotations in the very first semester after admission. Aspiring nurses work with several hospitals in the area and practice a range of procedures.
- Dallas County Cedar Valley Campus. Cedar Valley’s Associate of Applied Science degree combines classroom and laboratory experience with clinical experience. To be eligible, applicants must complete prerequisite courses in English, biology, psychology, and physical education.
Should You Attend Community College in Dallas?
Yes, you should attend a community college in Dallas. Community colleges offer selective career-focused programs that allow students to develop in-demand skills. Moreover, they’re cost-effective and offer academic flexibility to students. If you want extensive career options and a low average cost, a community college is a great choice.
Community colleges present an excellent learning opportunity for those who also have to work full-time. They have a career-focused educational environment and a skills-first approach. In fact, community college combined with one of the best coding bootcamps can offer a lucrative career path.
Best Dallas Community Colleges FAQ
A community college is a public institution that allows students to study without spending too much on tuition. A community college offers two-year-long associate degrees to help students gain knowledge in a variety of subjects, including business management, software engineering, behavioral science, and other high-demand industries.
A four-year university offers bachelor’s degrees, while a community college offers associate degrees and shorter certificate programs. Affordable community colleges have academic transfer programs to allow students to enter a four-year degree later on.
No, community colleges are not free in Dallas county. However, their tuition is far less than that of a four-year university. Moreover, most colleges offer financial aid and endowed scholarships to merit students.
There are about 12 community colleges in Dallas and Tarrant counties. Three of these are located within the Dallas city limits, and nine are within a 50-mile radius. These are good choices if you’re looking for a lower cost of living with a strong academic career path.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
