What Is The Average Tuition For US Community Colleges?
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| What Is Tuition Of Community Colleges In The US? |
| Table of Contents |
What is community college?
A community college, also known as a junior college, is a two-year school that provides affordable higher education as a pathway to a four-year degree. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, the United States has 1,167 community colleges. An associate's degree is earned after completing a two-year degree program at a community college.
The benefits of attending a community college include the ability to save money by attending a community college for two years and then transferring to a four-year university to complete their degree.
 What Is Average Tuition Of Private Schools In The US Today? |
What is average community college cost?
When compared to four-year institutions, the average community college's cost has remained relatively stable over the last 20 years. The total cost of attendance varies depending on the type of institution and the status of the student.
The average tuition for public community colleges is $5,002 per year for in-state students and $8,710 for out-of-state students (2023).
The average annual tuition for private colleges is approximately $15,636.
Cost of Out-of-State vs. In-State TuitionCommunity college costs differ depending on whether the student is from the same state as the college or from another state. So, how much does four years of community college cost? For the 2021-22 school year, public community colleges will charge in-state students $5,155 per year and out-of-state students $8,835 per year. The average annual tuition for private community colleges is approximately $15,477. |
Cost of Public vs. Private Community CollegesState governments primarily fund public community colleges, whereas private community colleges rely on tuition fees, endowments, and alumni to fund academic programs. For 2021-22, the lowest public community college tuition is $1,458 in California, while the lowest private community college tuition is $3,950 in Idaho (Community College Review, 2021). The cost of community college varies depending on whether the school is public or private, with a 37% difference. |
What Factors Affect Community College Fees?
Room and Board
If you decide to live at home, you will only need to budget for meal expenses. Most community colleges are commuter schools, which means they do not provide student housing. One option is to live off-campus, in which case you will need to budget for room and board.
Books and supplies
What are the prices of college textbooks? Another cost to consider when attending community college is the cost of books and other course materials. You could look for used textbooks, which are less expensive. The cost of books and materials is determined by demand and availability, but there are almost always alternatives. Some classes also provide lower-cost book options or open-source materials, which can significantly lower overall costs.
Personal expenses
Personal expenses include phone bills, laundry, eating out, and other items you would normally spend money on while at school. Personal expenses are frequently understated. So, it is better to make a list of all your personal expenses, determine which ones you can limit, and then add the total to your budget.
Transportation
Your transportation costs will vary on how frequent you travel, and your means of transport. Either way, factor in your transportation cost, including the cost of gas if you own a car and parking fee.
READ MORE: Top 30 Cheapest Schools (by Tuition Costs) in the U.S 2023/2024
Which state in the US offers free community college?
In the U.S., there are 19 states that provide tuition subsidies to qualified community college students. These states that allot funding to cover community college tuition are:
Arkansas
Boston
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Missouri
Montana
New York
Nevada
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
| Each state's tuition-free programs have specific eligibility requirements and cover only tuition fees, which means that other expenses such as room and board, books and course materials, transportation, and living expenses must be paid out of pocket or through other financing programs. Tuition-free students may also be required to participate in community projects, depending on the community college. |
Community College Tuition In The US By State
| State | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $7,560 | $16,384 |
| Vermont | $6,610 | $13,060 |
| South Dakota | $6,030 | $6,210 |
| Minnesota | $5,540 | $6,300 |
| New York | $5,390 | $9,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,330 | $14,090 |
| Virginia | $5,270 | $11,610 |
| Massachusetts | $5,140 | $10,310 |
| Iowa | $5,070 | $6,780 |
| North Dakota | $4,840 | $9,710 |
| Rhode Island | $4,700 | $12,520 |
| New Jersey | $4,670 | $8,290 |
| South Carolina | $4,640 | $9,760 |
| Oregon | $4,620 | $8,760 |
| Alabama | $4,540 | $9,760 |
| Wisconsin | $4,470 | $6,450 |
| Indiana | $4,380 | $8,460 |
| Tennessee | $4,270 | $16,620 |
| Kentucky | $4,230 | $14,240 |
| Louisiana | $4,220 | $7,270 |
| Maryland | $4,210 | $9,750 |
| Washington | $4,200 | $6,160 |
| West Virginia | $4,200 | $9,690 |
| Illinois | $4,010 | $11,320 |
| Oklahoma | $3,990 | $9,330 |
| Alaska | $3,960 | $7,220 |
| Utah | $3,890 | $12,380 |
| Maine | $3,810 | $6,690 |
| Ohio | $3,780 | $7,680 |
| Colorado | $3,750 | $10,670 |
| Montana | $3,740 | $8,740 |
| Michigan | $3,570 | $6,750 |
| Kansas | $3,480 | $4,750 |
| Arkansas | $3,390 | $4,910 |
| Idaho | $3,380 | $7,970 |
| Missouri | $3,370 | $6,340 |
| Nebraska | $3,310 | $4,220 |
| Mississippi | $3,280 | $5,800 |
| Wyoming | $3,240 | $7,910 |
| Hawaii | $3,170 | $8,460 |
| Nevada | $3,170 | $10,150 |
| Georgia | $2,990 | $8,330 |
| Florida | $2,580 | $9,380 |
| North Carolina | $2,570 | $8,750 |
| Connecticut | $2,380 | $13,270 |
| Delaware | $2,290 | $5,720 |
| Texas | $2,280 | $6,610 |
| Arizona | $2,220 | $8,310 |
| New Mexico | $1,720 | $5,480 |
| California | $1,310 | $7,730 |
Top 5 Cheapest Community Colleges in USA
There are various cheap community colleges in USA that offer admissions to domestic as well as international students at low cost. Here is a list of some of the cheapest community colleges for international students in the USA:
1. Oxnard Community College
| Average Annual Fees | 8,146 USD |
2.Central Wyoming College
| Average Annual Fees | 10,980 USD |
3. Bristol Community College
| Average Annual Fees | 12,690 USD |
4. Lehman College
| Average Annual Fees | 15,360 USD |
5. South Texas Community College
| Average Annual Fees | 7,830 USD |
Conclusion
Community colleges are vital educational institutions for students who want to pursue a degree. Many students also choose to attend community colleges due to lower tuition and overall costs. Given the rising cost of attending college, community colleges provide a dependable alternative for obtaining a quality postsecondary education. In addition to lower tuition, these schools have smaller class sizes and a less rigorous class schedule, making them ideal for working students.
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