If you’re looking for an affordable postsecondary education, consider community college. These two-year schools offer students a chance to earn an associate degree, diploma, or certificate, and can serve as a pathway to a four-year institution. If you’re going to choose this educational route, it’s worth looking into the best community colleges in the US.
To help, we have curated a list of the 10 best community colleges in the country, including the best online community colleges in the US, and the best community colleges for engineering in the US.
How We Defined Our US Community College Rankings
There are more than 1,000 community colleges in the US, with most offering similar courses and benefits. Luckily there are ways to separate the best from the rest. To pick the top 10, we looked at their graduation rates, program quality, financial aid options, and transfer rates. The transfer rate refers to the number of students who have finished their two-year degree and transferred to their target school.
Although there are many high-quality community colleges in the US, the schools listed below outperform their peers in many areas. They have a higher graduation rate, a wider range of programs, better financial aid options, and higher transfer rates.
The Top 10 Community Colleges in the US
- Santa Barbara City College
- Walla Walla Community College
- Valencia College
- Saint Paul College
- De Anza College
- Broward College
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Texas State Technical College
- New Mexico Military Institute
- Lake Area Technical College
The Best Community Colleges in the US: Explained
1. Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara City College is located in California and offers associate degree programs, certificate programs, and transfer programs in 29 fields of study. It is a mid-size community college, with a student population of a little over 14,000 and a student-faculty ratio of 27-1.
Best Santa Barbara City College Programs
- Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Associate Degree in Biological Sciences
- Associate Degree in Hospitality
- Associate Degree in Communication
- Associate Degree in Economics
2. Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla Community College was established in Washington state in 1967. It aims to prepare students to start a career in their respective fields soon after graduation through its academic and workforce training programs. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Best Walla Walla Community College Programs
- Associate Degree in Liberal Arts/Sciences and Humanities
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Agriculture and Agriculture Operations
- Associate Degree in Business, Management, and Marketing
- Associate Degree in Mechanic & Repair Technologies
3. Valencia College
Valencia College is a public college in Florida. It began as a community college but dropped the word “college” from its name after it started offering bachelor’s degrees in 2011. That same year, it earned an award for community college excellence, in part due to its excellent educational programs. Valencia is a very large college, with more than 45,000 students and a graduation rate of 44 percent graduation rate.
Best Valencia College Programs
- Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Business Administration
- Associate Degree in Health Services Administration
- Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry Management
4. Saint Paul College
Saint Paul College is a highly ranked community college in Minnesota. The school uses advanced technology to help students achieve their educational goals. Saint Paul also has transfer agreements with four-year colleges and over 500 industry connections to assist students in their transition into the workforce. Its graduate employment rate stands at 85 percent.
Best Saint Paul College Programs
- Associate of Science Degree – Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway
- Associate Degree in Hospitality Management
- Associate Degree in Business
- Associate Degree in Marketing
- Associate Degree in Health Information Technology
5. De Anza College
De Anza College is a junior college in California. It prides itself in its top transfer rate into four-year colleges. It has a diverse student body and transfer partnerships with the University of California, California State University, and several private universities. Popular courses of study include business, management, and social sciences.The student-faculty ratio is 29-to-1.
Best De Anza College Programs
- Associate Degree in Business Administration
- Associate Degree in Sociology
- Associate Degree in Biology
- Associate degree in Liberal Arts
- Associate Degree in Nursing
6. Broward College
Broward College is a technical school in Florida. The school offers associate degree, bachelor’s degree, and certificate programs. Academic divisions include health science, public safety, and business. The student to faculty ratio is 30-1. It is not a particularly cheap college, with the cost of tuition starting at $2,830 for in-state students and $8,952 for out-of-state students.
Best Broward College Programs
- Associate Degree in Business Administration
- Associate Degree in Marketing Management
- Associate Degree in Computer Information Technology
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management
7. Fox Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College is a public technical school in Wisconsin that offers over 200 associate degrees, diploma programs, and certificate programs. Students who complete their associate degree at the school can transfer to one of more than 30 four-year universities that Fox Valley Technical has transfer agreements with. In 2017, the school had an impressive graduation rate of 55 percent.
Best Fox Valley Technical College Programs
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Welding Technology
- Associate Degree in Construction Management Technology
- Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
- Associate Degree in Automotive Technology
8. Orange Coast College
Orange Coast College is a technical college in Orange County, California. It offers students the opportunity to transfer to a four-year institution after completing their associate degree. Popular programs of study at this school include social sciences, business, and liberal arts. The student-faculty ratio is 29-1 and its graduation rate stands at 42 percent.
Best Orange Coast College Programs
- Associate Degree in Aviation Science
- Associate Degree in Accounting
- Associate Degree in Dental Assisting
- Associate Degree in Economics
- Associate Degree in Advanced Baking and Pastry
9. New Mexico Military Institute
Founded in 1891, New Mexico Military Institute is a public military junior college in New Mexico that accepts close to 1,000 junior cadets every year. The school offers diplomas to high school students and associate degrees to more advanced learners. It also has a ROTC program that allows college cadets the opportunity to receive a commission in the US Army as second lieutenants.
Best New Mexico Military Institute Programs
- Associate Degree in Art
- Associate Degree in Business Administration
- Associate Degree in Communications
- Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Associate Degree in Political Science/Leadership
10. Lake Area Technical College
Lake Area Technical College is a public two-year college in South Dakota. Students at this school will have a close-knit college experience, as it’s a small public college with enrollment of less than 2,500. However, it’s ratio of 17 students per faculty member means you’ll also get plenty of help from educators. Technical programs offered at the school include mechanical repairs, agricultural operations, and nursing.
Best Lake Area Technical College Programs
- Associate Degree in Agricultural Business
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Automotive Technology
- Associate Degree in Marketing and Management
- Associate Degree in Robotics
Other US Community College Rankings
If you’re considering getting a community college education, it is important to take into account whether you have the time and resources to attend on campus. While experiencing student life on campus can lead to a sense of community and belonging, doing so can also increase the cost. Luckily, online community college programs offer an affordable alternative to help you reach your career goal without breaking the bank.
Online academic programs allow you to work and learn at your convenience and from the comfort of your home. Below, we’ve put together what we believe are the best online community colleges in the US, plus the best community college engineering programs in the country.
Best Online Community Colleges in the US
- Southern Regional Technical College. Southern Regional Technical College is a Georgia-based community college that allows students across the state to enroll in online programs in areas such as health science, accounting, and applied health.
- Lanier Technical College. This is a public technical college in Georgia that offers online classes for students who want to learn from home. The school also offers a hybrid learning option, which combines online and in-person classes.
- Coastal Pines Technical College. This community college in Georgia offers more than 150 academic programs, many of which are available fully online.
- Southwest Mississippi Community College. This Mississippi community college is one of the best-ranked in the state. It’s online programs are offered in conjunction with 15 other community colleges in a partnership called Mississippi Virtual Community College.
- Rappahannock Community College. This is a public community college based in Virginia. It offers workforce and community development courses online, as well as regular associate degree courses.
Best Community Colleges for Engineering in the US
- Foothill College. To join the engineering program at this California public community college, you must first meet certain education requirements in math and English. The program is focused on helping you land one of the many jobs you can do with an engineering degree, so it’s very physics- and programming-heavy.
- Itasca Community College. The engineering program at this public community college is focused on active learning through real-world projects.
- Orange Coast College. This California community is one of the top transfer schools in the US. Its associate degree in engineering program teaches students how to use critical thinking and laboratory skills to solve problems.
- Anne Arundel Community College. This public junior college in Arnold, Maryland, offers in-person, online, and hybrid learning options to engineering students. Students can choose from an electrical engineering associate degree, or plan on transferring their engineering credits toward a four-year degree.
- Western Wyoming Community College. The engineering program at this community college gives students a foundation in physics and the engineering design process. Students also have access to internship opportunities through the school.
Should You Attend Community College in the US?
Yes. If you’re looking for an affordable way to complete your post-secondary education, you should attend a community college in the US. They are the perfect way to get two years of education done before you transfer to a more expensive four-year school. Or, you can choose a two-year program that will leave you prepared to immediately enter the workforce.
Best US Community Colleges FAQ
The number one community college in the US is Santa Barbara City College in California. It has a very broad range of courses, offering over 80 associate degree programs and over 50 certificate programs. The cost of tuition after financial aid is also very affordable for low-income community college students.
The state with the best community colleges, according to our research, is California. It is home to top schools like Santa Barbara City College, Orange Coast College, and De Anza College.
Some of the most popular community colleges in the US are Santa Barbara City College, Walla Walla Community College, Lake Area Technical College, Orange Coast College, and De Anza College.
No, community college is not free in the US. However, it is more affordable than other higher education options, such as four-year colleges. They are designed so that low-income community college students can afford tuition and get the financial aid and scholarships they need to be successful.
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.
