You’re ready to take the next step in your education – but it can be tough to know where to start. We get it. Here, we’ve developed a list of the cheapest community college options to help you get the degree that you want, without having to break the bank (or drown in student loan debt for the next two decades).
One of the best ways to get your education for as low a price as possible is to take online classes whenever it’s an option. When you choose to take classes online, you can often cut down on many of the fees associated with taking in-person classes. While this isn’t an option for all degrees, it can be a solid way to cut down on costs if it makes sense for your learning path. If you’re in the process of finding the right community college for you, be sure to check out BestValueSchools.com to help you further your search.
Most Affordable Community Colleges
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | American River College | Sacramento, California |
| 2 | Luna Community College | San Miguel County, New Mexico |
| 3 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, California |
| 4 | Taft College | Taft, California |
| 5 | Coffeyville Community College | Coffeyville, Kansas |
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best, cheapest community colleges that can give you the education you need to move forward in your career path at a price that won’t break the bank.
Best 25 Cheapest Community Colleges in 2021
1
American River College
- Sacramento, California
American River Collegeis known for providing students with a high-quality education at a fair price. ARC is committed to furthering social justice and equity and is proud to provide students with an excellent education, no matter what their economic background.
Tuition: $46 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 29:1
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
2
Luna Community College
- San Miguel County, New Mexico
LCCis the only community college in Northeast New Mexico and offers area students a great education at a price that makes sense. With a low faculty-to-student ratio and an excellent reputation for learning that students can apply to their professional lives immediately, Luna Community College is a great choice for students in the Southwest.Lunaoffers approximately three dozen associate degree and certificate programs in Allied Health Sciences, Business, Career and Technical Education (Vocations), Early Childhood Education, Humanities, Nursing and STEM. Financial aid is available. SeeLUNA.eduformore information.
Tuition: $40 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
3
Antelope Valley College
- Lancaster, California
AVCin Palmdale, California was founded nearly a century ago as a department of Antelope Valley Joint Union High School, and today serves 18,000 students per year. AVC is committed to diversity, as well as meeting the constantly changing educational needs of the area.
Tuition: $46 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 23:1
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges/Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC)
4
Taft College
- Taft, California
Taft Collegein Taft, California offers students 43 degree program options and 37 certificate options, making it easy for students to find the perfect educational path for them at a cost that makes sense. Taft is committed to serving transfer students, students who want a technical education, and students who are ready to lay the foundation for the rest of their educational careers.
Tuition: $46 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 37:1
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
5
Coffeyville Community College
- Coffeyville, Kansas
AtCoffeyville Community College, students have the choice of 14 certificate programs, 15 technical programs, and 19 academic programs. Coffeyville can meet the needs both of students who are just getting started in their education and those who are searching to get the education they need to take their careers to the next level.
Tuition: $56 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 33:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
6
South Georgia Technical College
- Americus, Georgia
South Georgia Technical Collegeprovides students with the practical education they need to succeed in their chosen career fields. SGTC offers a wide variety of programs, including options such as barbering, medical assisting, and fire science technology, and offers degrees, certificates, and non-certificate educational programming.
Tuition: $89 per credit for Georgia residents, $178 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
7
Mesalands Community College
- Tucumcari, New Mexico
Mesalands Community Collegeis proud to offer students interactive experiences that allow them to get the practical career lessons they need to be successful. Mesalands faculty are proud to offer students the inside tricks of their trade, and they care for their students and do all that they can to help them succeed.
Tuition: $58 per credit for New Mexico residents, $103 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
8
Garden City Community College
- Garden City, Kansas
GCCCis proud to provide students with a solid educational foundation to help them succeed in their career endeavors. Founded in 1919, GCCC has over a century of rich history, providing students both in and out of Kansas with educational and extracurricular opportunities to grow.
Tuition: $51 per credit for Kansas residents, $61 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
9
Independence Community College
- Independence, Kansas
Independence Community Collegeoffers students with online class options to help them get their degree on their own time. New classes start every month, so there’s no need for students to wait for a new semester to dig into their academic goals. ICC offers accelerated degree programs to help students make the most of their education in the shortest time possible.
Tuition: $54 per credit for in-district residents, $60 per credit for Kansas residents, $67 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
10
East Mississippi Community College
- Scooba, Mississippi
AtEast Mississippi Community College, students choose from 48 different career and technical programs. Located near Columbus Air Force Base, EMCC provides many members of the Air Force and their families with the support that they need to move forward in their careers.
Tuition: $75 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
11
Arkansas Northeast College
- Blytheville, Arkansas
AtANC, some students take a single class, while others complete their associate’s degree. ANC faculty understand that each student has individual learning goals, and they work with students to ensure that each attendee gets exactly what they need to move forward in their education or their career.
Tuition: $70 per credit for in-district residents, $80 per credit for Arkansas residents, $130 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
12
Athens Technical College
- Athens, Georgia
Athens Technical Collegeis located in Northeast Georgia and students can take classes at one of three locations (Elberton, Greensboro, and Monroe). In addition to classes, students have many opportunities to become involved in student life on campus, such as participating in charity events and digging into hobbies through organizations like the culinary club.
Tuition: $89 per credit hour for all students enrolled in all diploma and associate’s degree programs, as well as most technical programs
Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
13
Central Community College
- Grand Island, Nebraska
Central Community Collegeserves a large area of Nebraska, providing both in state and out of state students with a solid educational foundation to help them move forward in their careers and/ or their educational paths. The school offers online earning options for students, as well as training for corporations and businesses.
Tuition: $88 per credit for Nebraska residents, $132 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
14
Neosho County Community College
- Chanute, Kansas
Ranked #1 in student success three years in a row among Kansas universities,Neosho County Community Collegeis focused on giving students what they need to excel. A low faculty to student ratio means that students get individualized attention from faculty, making it easy to get information that can be applied to their current careers. 39% of Neosho students are full-time, meaning most of the students on campus are part-time, balancing work and family responsibilities on top of getting their education.
Tuition: $73 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
15
Middlesex County College
- Edison, New Jersey
AtMiddlesex Community College, students are encouraged and supported in their quest to excel. When students begin at MCC and they aren’t sure of the career path they’d like to take, faculty are willing to work closely with them to help them understand what career options may be a good fit for them. Students have the option of pursuing a certificate, degree program, or other learning options to help them stand out in their career field.
Tuition: $116 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
16
Allen County Community College
- Iola, Kansas
ACCCoffers several licensing, associate’s degree, and certificate programs, helping students who want to go further in their careers. Many students get their start at ACCC and then transfer to a four-year college to earn their bachelor’s degree. Allen is proud to provide academic support services for students who want to sharpen their skills as they work their way toward their degree.
Tuition: $60 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 22:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
17
Albany Technical College
- Albany, Georgia
Albany Tech serves seven Georgia counties: Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Lee, Randolph, and Terrell.ATCis proud to support active duty military members and veterans, as well as non-traditional learners who are working to further their careers. More than 3,000 students are currently working to further their education at ATC.
Tuition: $89 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
18
Cochise County Community College
- Sierra Vista, Arizona
AtCCCC, faculty and staff are proud to support students who are working, adults who have decided to return to school to finish their education, members of the military and their families, veterans, and more. CCCC understands that many of their students have decided to take on a heavy load, and they work hard to accommodate their students so they can succeed. The staff at CCCC understands that it can tough for students to decide where they’d like to go in their careers, and they offer a career coach program to help students find their passion.
Tuition: $85 per credit for in-state residents, $119 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
19
Central Wyoming College
- Riverton, Wyoming
A two-year college,CWCprovides students with a learning experience that can complement the career or educational path they’ve already begun to forge. With faculty that care deeply about student success and flexible learning options to accommodate busy schedules, CWC’s many degree and certificate options give students all that they need to move forward in their field.
Tuition: $99 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
20
Cowley County Community College
- Arkansas City, Kansas
From its humble beginnings in the basem*nt of Arkansas City High School,Cowleyhas since become a learning institution on the edge of innovation and the latest technology. Cowley believes in pushing their students to take risks and to achieve as much as possible in their chosen career fields. While Cowley is located in Kansas, the college is proud to welcome students from across the country and the world.
Tuition: $55 per credit hour for in-district residents, $65 per credit for in-state residents, $112 for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 33:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission and by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR)
21
Atlanta Technical College
- Atlanta, Georgia
ATCis proud to prepare students for high-paying technical and hands-on careers. Faculty and staff at ATC are committed to helping their students thrive in their careers, and they recognize that many of their students are managing other responsibilities while completing their education. With more than 120 programs available to students, it’s easy for most learners to find a course of study that makes sense for them.
Tuition: $100 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (COC-SACS)
22
State Fair Community College
- Sedalia, Missouri
Students atSFCChave the option of taking classes in person or online, making it easy for students to get the education they need in a way that makes sense for them. In addition to associate’s degree programs, SFCC also offers other programs for adult learners, such as English Language Learner classes to help adults who are learning English to brush up on their skills.
Tuition: $105 per credit for in-district residents, $160 per credit for in-state residents, $220 per credit for out of state residents
Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
23
Ogeechee Technical College
- Statesboro, Georgia
Ogeechee Technical Collegeis located in Georgia and offers students many options for furthering their education, from opticianry to construction. Students at OTC can earn a diploma, associate’s degree, or a certificate, allowing them to move forward in their chosen industry. OTC faculty pride themselves on always putting students first and many students enjoy the unique relationships they develop with their professors.
Tuition: $100 per credit
Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
24
Lenoir Community College
- Kinston, North Carolina
AtLenior Community College, 100% of degrees are earned online, making Lenior the perfect option for students who can’t take time away from work and family to get their degree or certificate. With 55 degree options and 71 certificate options, students have many options for getting the education they need to excel in their chosen field.
Tuition: $76 per credit for in-state residents, $268 per credit for out of state students
Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
25
Mid-Plains Community College
- Lincoln County, Nebraska
Mid-Plains Community Collegeis proud to take a student-centered approach to learning. On campus, students don’t only have the chance to dive into classes – there are also many opportunities to get to know other students in extracurricular clubs and activities. Many students start by getting their associate’s degree or technical education at MPCC before transferring to a four-year college or university.
Tuition: $96 per credit for in-state and border state residents, $125 per credit for out of state/ non border state residents
Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
To develop this list, we compared tuition cost among accredited universities and colleges, and also considered the student-to-teacher ratio as a tiebreaker when other factors made it tough to distinguish between schools. This information is accurate as of October 2020, but of course, tuition rates can change with time. Be sure to check with the schools you’re considering to get up to date information on their current tuition rates. If you’re on the search for the best community college for your needs, be sure to check out BestValueSchools.com to help you get all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Interested in having us review your school? We’d love to hear from you and take a look at your school’s qualifications to see if you’d be a good fit for one of our lists. If you’re an admissions or registration professional at one of the schools listed above and you’d like us to make edits to your information, feel free to let us know – we’re happy to do so.
