Average Cost of Community College [2024]: Tuition + Fees

Report Highlights. The average cost of community college attendance is $7,560 total or $1,890 per semester.

Tuition alone for in-district community college attendance averages $3,780.
For out-of-state students, the average community college tuition is $8,990.
The average annual cost to attend any 2-year institution is $12,917.
Private 2-year institutions charge an average of $18,282; in-state tuition at a public 4-year institution averages $10,239.
The annual tuition at a private 2-year institution can be as high as $40,249.

Average cost of community college on Education Data Initiative

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Average cost of community college 2 on Education Data Initiative

Average Cost of Community College

The cost of attending the average community college has remained relatively stable over the past 20 years when compared with four-year institutions. The total cost of attendance may vary according to the type of institution and student status.

$3,780 is the total annual cost of tuition and fees for the average full-time, in-district student to attend a community college.
On-campus living typically increases annual expenses by $8,775 per academic year at public institutions.
At private institutions, on-campus living may cost an additional $11,955.
Students who pay rent off-campus typically spend an extra $11,202 per year.
$2,055 is the average cost of tuition for one semester at a community college.
In 20 years, the cost of tuition at the average community college has risen 24%, compared with a 48% rise among public community colleges.
11.2% of all community college revenue comes from tuition.
$11,884 is the median annual cost of attendance at a public 2-year institution.
26 states offer a tuition-free community college education, including Delaware, California, Maryland, New York, and Montana.

Community College Tuition by State
State	In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition
Alabama	$5,290	$9,910
Alaska	$6,490	$6,490
Arizona	$2,270	$7,820
Arkansas	$3,840	$5,410
California	$1,350	$9,810
Colorado	$3,600	$7,900
Connecticut	$5,000	$14,890
Delaware	$5,122	$9,479
Florida	$2,800	$10,180
Georgia	$3,290	$8,670
Hawaii	$3,390	$8,820
Idaho	$3,530	$8,660
Illinois	$4,460	$12,280
Indiana	$4,870	$9,380
Iowa	$5,860	$7,240
Kansas	$3,830	$5,070
Kentucky	$4,820	$16,280
Louisiana	$4,590	$5,340
Maine	$3,970	$6,990
Maryland	$4,630	$10,370
Massachusetts	$5,840	$11,170
Michigan	$4,160	$7,870
Minnesota	$6,350	$7,130
Mississippi	$3,870	$6,550
Missouri	$4,280	$8,000
Montana	$4,150	$10,210
Nebraska	$3,580	$4,520
Nevada	$3,898	$12,489
New Hampshire	$7,460	$16,120
New Jersey	$5,230	$8,990
New Mexico	$2,020	$6,940
New York	$6,040	$9,600
North Carolina	$2,650	$8,950
North Dakota	$5,890	$6,980
Ohio	$4,860	$8,710
Oklahoma	$4,630	$10,420
Oregon	$5,650	$9,610
Pennsylvania	$6,000	$13,840
Rhode Island	$5,350	$14,230
South Carolina	$5,240	$11,020
South Dakota	$7,780	$7,620
Tennessee	$4,660	$18,120
Texas	$3,080	$8,260
Utah	$4,470	$14,390
Vermont	$7,270	$14,320
Virginia	$5,480	$12,090
Washington	$4,860	$8,710
West Virginia	$4,830	$11,320
Wisconsin	$4,890	$7,020
Wyoming	$4,400	$10,490

Average cost of community college 3 on Education Data Initiative

Average Cost Community College by State

Education costs vary from state to state. Further, in some states, the cost of tuition for the average community college is about the same as that of tuition at a 4-year institution. In other states, there may be a $10,000+ difference in annual costs.

There is a 140% difference in cost between the states with the most and the least expensive community college systems.
South Dakota community college students pay the most for their education.
California is the least expensive place to get a community college education.
Tennessee charges the highest tuition to out-of-state community college students.
Nebraska charges the least to out-of-state community college students.
The total cost of attendance will include the price of tuition and will depend on multiple variables, including students’ living arrangements.

Alabama Community College Costs

Community colleges in Alabama have higher-than-average tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

$5,290 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Alabama.
$17,575 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$9,910 is the out-of-state tuition cost.
For 4-year public institutions, the annual cost of in-state attendance is $12,460.

Alaska Community College Costs

Alaska’s in-state community college tuition is a little more expensive than average, but for out-of-state students, it’s less expensive.

$6,490 is the in-state cost of tuition for Alaskan community colleges.
$24,184 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$6,490 is the out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $8,710.

Arizona Community College Costs

Arizona has the third-most affordable community college system, charging over a thousand dollars less than the national average.

$2,270 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Arizona.
$19,401 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,820 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $12,360.

Arkansas Community College Costs

Arkansas’ in-state tuition is slightly below the national average, but its out-of-state tuition is almost half of the national average.

$3,840 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Arkansas.
$17,316 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$5,410 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,320.
The Arkansas Future Grant is a state-sponsored program to provide free in-state tuition.

California Community College Costs

California has the least expensive community college system in the nation. Tuition at a Californian community college is less than half of the national average.

$1,350 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in California.
$17,059 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$9,810 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,070.
In-state tuition in California is 35.7% of the average cost of community college attendance.
California Promise is California’s tuition-free education program.

Colorado Community College Costs

Colorado is slightly less expensive for in-state students. For out-of-state students, the average cost is over $1,000 cheaper than the national average.

$3,600 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Colorado.
$21,951 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,900 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,290.
Otero Junior College in Colorado is a private, non-profit 2-year institution with an in-state tuition of $5,623.

Connecticut Community College Costs

Connecticut is slightly more expensive than average for in-state students. Out-of-state students, however, pay almost 50% more per year than the national average.

$5,000 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Connecticut.
$14,890 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $16,550.

Delaware Community College Costs

Community colleges in Delaware have higher-than-average tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

$5,122 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Delaware.
$9,476 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $12,520.
Delaware’s SEED program offers tuition-free community college.

Florida Community College Costs

Florida is less expensive for in-state students but more expensive for out-of-state students. In-state community college tuition in Florida is more than half of the cost of 4-year public in-state institution.

$2,800 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Florida.
$23,302 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$10,180 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $4,770.

Georgia Community College Costs

Georgia has one of the less expensive community college systems for in-state students. It is slightly more expensive than average for out-of-state students.

$3,290 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Georgia.
$17,261 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$8,670 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $7,430.

Hawaii Community College Costs

Hawaii’s average community college tuition is slightly below the national average for in-state and just about the national average for out-of-state tuition.

$3,390 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Hawaii.
$8,820 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $11,010.
The Hawaii Promise Scholarship provides free in-state community college tuition.

Idaho Community College Costs

Idaho’s community college system is slightly less expensive for in-state students and just about the national average for out-of-state tuition.

$3,530 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Idaho.
$18,065 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$8,660 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $8,020.

Illinois Community College Costs

It is a little more expensive than average to attend a community college in Illinois. It is much more expensive for out-of-state students to attend.

$4,460 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Illinois.
$12,280 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $15,670.

Indiana Community College Costs

Indiana’s community colleges are more expensive than the national average for in-state students, though out-of-state students pay tuition just above the national average.

$4,870 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Indiana.
$9,380 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,380.
Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program offers tuition-free community college.

Iowa Community College Costs

Though Iowa has one of the less expensive public university systems, the state’s community colleges are among the most expensive in the nation for in-state students. For out-of-state students, however, tuition is lower than the national average.

$5,860 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Iowa.
$20,538 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,240 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,630.

Kansas Community College Costs

Kansas’ in-state tuition for community college students is just above the national average, while tuition for out-of-state students is nearly half of the national average.

$3,830 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Kansas.
$17,032 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$5,070 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,740.

Kentucky Community College Costs

Kentucky is the second-most expensive community college system for out-of-state students. It is also more expensive than average for in-state students.

$4,820 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Kentucky.
$16,280 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $11,870.
Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program is a state-sponsored tuition-free community college program.

Louisiana Community College Costs

While in-state students pay a higher-than-average tuition to attend Louisiana community colleges, out-of-state students pay less than the national average in tuition.

$4,590 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Louisiana.
$23,865 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$5,340 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,340.

Maine Community College Costs

The cost of in-state community college in Maine is a little above the national average. Out-of-state students, however, pay less than average.

$3,970 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Maine.
$20,818 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$6,990 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $11,360.

Maryland Community College Costs

Maryland’s community colleges are more expensive for all students, though tuition for its 4-year institutions is nearly the national mean.

$4,630 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Maryland.
$22,405 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$10,370 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,550.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is the state’s tuition-free community college program.

Massachusetts Community College Costs

Massachusetts is one of the more expensive states to attain an education, whether it is at a community college or a 4-year public institution.

$5,840 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Massachusetts.
$11,170 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $15,070.

Michigan Community College Costs

Out-of-state students enjoy lower-than-average tuition in Michigan, whereas in-state tuition is more expensive than the national average.

$4,160 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Michigan.
$18,809 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,870 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $15,460.

Minnesota Community College Costs

Minnesota’s institutions are more expensive for in-state students. It is less expensive, however, for out-of-state students.

$6,350 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Minnesota.
$20,697 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,130 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $13,520.

Mississippi Community College Costs

Out-of-state tuition in Mississippi is the fifth-lowest in the nation. In-state tuition in Mississippi is on par with the national average.

$3,870 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Mississippi.
$13,252 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$6,550 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,580.

Missouri Community College Costs

The cost of in-state community college in Missouri is above average, but the cost of out-of-state community college is lower than average.

$4,280 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Missouri.
$17,143 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$8,000 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,420.
The Missouri A+ Scholarship offers tuition-free community college.

Montana Community College Costs

Community colleges in Montana cost more than the average U.S. community college despite the significantly lower costs among its 4-year institutions.

$4,150 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Montana.
$17,570 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$10,210 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $7,670.
The Montana Promise Act is for students who attend two-year community or tribal colleges.

Nebraska Community College Costs

Nebraska has the most affordable community college system in the nation for out-of-state students, with in-state tuition just below the national average.

$3,580 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Nebraska.
$17,231 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$4,520 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,310.

Nevada Community College Costs

In-state students pay slightly lower-than-average tuition, but out-of-state students pay much higher costs to attend Nevada schools.

$3,898 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Nevada.
$12,489 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $7,060.
Nevada Promise Scholarship offers free community college to awardees.

New Hampshire Community College Costs

New Hampshire has the second most expensive community college system in the United States. It is one of three states where the average community college tuition exceeds $7,000. New Hampshire also has the third-most expensive out-of-state community college tuition.

$7,460 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in New Hampshire.
$27,594 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$16,120 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $17,870.

New Jersey Community College Costs

New Jersey’s tuition costs are significantly higher for in-state students but on par with the national average for out-of-state students.

$5,230 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in New Jersey.
$8,990 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $16,030.

New Mexico Community College Costs

New Mexico is the second-least expensive place for an in-state student to attend community college. Out-of-state students also have lower than average tuition costs.

$2,020 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in New Mexico.
$16,452 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$6,940 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $7,900.

New York Community College Costs

New York community colleges are more expensive than the national average despite the state’s relatively low-cost public universities.

$6,040 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in New York.
$23,748 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$9,600 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,010.
New York’s Excelsior Scholarship is the state’s tuition-free community college program.

North Carolina Community College Costs

North Carolina has one of the least expensive community college students for in-state attendees. Out-of-state tuition costs slightly more than the national average.

$2,650 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in North Carolina.
$8,950 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $7,690.

North Dakota Community College Costs

North Dakota’s community colleges cost more for in-state students to attend than the national average despite its out-of-state tuition costing less.

$5,890 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in North Dakota.
$20,564 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$6,980 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,220.

Ohio Community College Costs

Ohio community colleges’ in-state students pay more on average, but out-of-state students enjoy lower-than-average tuition.

$4,860 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Ohio.
$21,057 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$8,710 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $11,470.

Oklahoma Community College Costs

Oklahoma’s community colleges are a little more expensive for in-state and out-of-state attendees.

$4,630 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Oklahoma.
$18,710 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$10,420 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $8,950.
Oklahoma’s Promise is the state’s tuition-free community college program.

Oregon Community College Costs

Oregon’s community college system is one of the more expensive, though its out-of-state tuition is closer to the national average than in-state costs.

$5,650 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Oregon.
$20,623 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$9,610 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $13,050.
The Oregon Promise Grant provides awardees with tuition-free community college.

Pennsylvania Community College Costs

Pennsylvania has one of the most expensive community college systems along with some of the most expensive public universities.

$6,000 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Pennsylvania.
$22,185 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$13,840 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $17,030.

Rhode Island Community College Costs

Rhode Island is one of the more expensive places to seek postsecondary education. Community colleges charge out-of-state students 45% more than the US average out-of-state community college tuition.

$5,350 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Rhode Island.
$14,230 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $15,480.
Rhode Island Promise is the state’s tuition-free community college program.

South Carolina Community College Costs

South Carolina’s community college system is more expensive than average for all students but not as comparatively expensive as the state’s public universities.

$5,240 is the average in-state tuition to attend community college in South Carolina.
$18,417 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$11,020 is the average out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $13,240.
$7,560 is the in-state cost to attend one of the University of South Carolina’s Two-Year Regional Campuses.
The out-of-state cost is $18,240.
$4,840 is the in-state cost to attend a South Carolina technical college.
The out-of-state cost is $8,940.

South Dakota Community College Costs

South Dakota has the most expensive community college system in the country. It is one of only three (3) states with community college tuition averaging more than $8,000.

$7,780 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in South Dakota.
$24,970 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,620 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,530.

Tennessee Community College Costs

Tennessee community colleges charge the highest average out-of-state tuition. It’s one of only two states in which out-of-state tuition exceeds $18,000.

$4,660 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Tennessee.
$18,120 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $10,960.
Tennessee Promise is the state’s tuition-free community college program.

Texas Community College Costs

Texas has one of the more affordable community college systems. It is the sixth-least expensive for in-state students, and out-of-state students pay just under the national average.

$3,080 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Texas.
$18,053 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$8,260 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $8,610.

Utah Community College Costs

Utah’s in-state tuition is higher than the national average, but out-of-state students pay significantly more than the national average. Meanwhile, Utah’s 4 year public universities are some of the nation’s most affordable.

$4,470 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Utah.
$14,390 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $7,580.

Vermont Community College Costs

Vermont has the third-most expensive community college system. It’s one of only three (3) states where in-state community college tuition exceeds $7,000.

$7,270 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Vermont.
$14,320 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $18,480.

Virginia Community College Costs

Virginia has some of the most expensive community colleges in the nation for both in-state and out-of-state students.

$5,480 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Virginia.
$23,418 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$12,090 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $15,570.

Washington Community College Costs

Washington community colleges charge higher-than-average tuition for in-state attendance, but out-of-state students pay less than the national average.

$4,860 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Washington.
$20,608 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$8,710 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $8,410.
Washington College Bound is the state’s tuition-free community college program.

West Virginia Community College Costs

West Virginia’s average community college tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students is higher than the national average.

$4,830 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in West Virginia.
$20,213 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$11,320 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,150.

Wisconsin Community College Costs

In-state tuition for Wisconsin’s community colleges is significantly higher than the national average. Out-of-state tuition is much less expensive, however.

$4,890 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Wisconsin.
$20,876 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$7,020 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,420.

Wyoming Community College Costs

Wyoming has a community college system that charges a little more on average. The state’s four-year public universities, meanwhile, are the second most affordable in the nation.

$4,400 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in Wyoming.
$16,683 is the total cost to live on-campus.
$10,490 is out-of-state tuition.
For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $5,360.

Average cost of community college 4 on Education Data Initiative

Student Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to students via government programs, institutional programs, and private organizations.

55% of community college students receive some form of financial aid.
22% receive student aid from their state government.
8% receive aid directly from their community college.
17% of federal work-study aid goes to community college students.

Scholarships

Some scholarships cover the entire cost of the awardee’s education.

36% of community college students receive federal grants.
29% of Pell Grants go to community college students.
26 states offer scholarships or programs for tuition-free community college.

Student Loans

For the most part, only federal student loan data is available. Unlike students at 4-year institutions, a majority of community college students do not use student loans to pay for school.

15% of community college students receive federal loans.
10% of subsidized federal loans go to community college students.
4% of unsubsidized federal loans go to community colleges.
$5,483 is the average amount borrowed per student at public institutions.
61% of community college graduates leave school with no student loan debt.
Among those who attended public institutions, 67.2% graduated without debt.
79.5% of community college students attend public institutions.