What Is Average Tuition Of Community Colleges In The US?
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.
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.
Community 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.
State 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.
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
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
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
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:
Average Annual Fees
8,146 USD
Average Annual Fees
10,980 USD
Average Annual Fees
12,690 USD
Average Annual Fees
15,360 USD
Average Annual Fees
7,830 USD
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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