American River College Photo - ARC 2018 Graduates

Best California Community Colleges (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 263 community colleges serving 1,576,247 students in California (137 public colleges and 126 private colleges).
The average tuition for community colleges in California is approximately $1,236 per year for in-state students and $6,577 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $18,639 per year (view national tuition costs).
The top-ranked community colleges in California include Central Coast College, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, and San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova.
The average community college acceptance rate in California is 77% (compared to national acceptance rates).
Minority enrollment is 77%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 44:1.

Top-Ranked California Community Colleges (2026)

College
Location
Quick Facts
Central Coast College
Private for-profit
111 E Navajo Drive, Suite 100
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 424-6767
Enrollment: 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
14101 E. Nelson Ave
La Puente, CA 91746
(626) 934-2801
Enrollment: 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Minority enrollment: 91%
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova
Private for-profit
11050 Olson Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(559) 734-9000
Enrollment: 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Acceptance rate: 65% Minority enrollment: 59%
Agape College of Business and Science
Private not-for-profit
1313 P Street
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 486-1166
Enrollment: 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
American Career College-Anaheim
Public
1200 N. Magnolia Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801
(949) 783-4800
Enrollment: 2,278 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Minority enrollment: 91%
American Medical Sciences Center
Private for-profit
225 West Broadway, Suite 410
Glendale, CA 91204
Enrollment: 204 students Minority enrollment: 77%
American University of Health Sciences
American University of Health Sciences Photo - AUHS Lobby
Private for-profit
1600 East Hill St
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 988-2278
Enrollment: 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Acceptance rate: 50% Private-state tuition: $22,684 Minority enrollment: 94%
3041 West Ave K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6300
Enrollment: 13,532 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 Acceptance rate: 25% In-state tuition: $1,104 Out-state tuition: $5,664 Minority enrollment: 87%
Asher College
Private for-profit
1215 Howe Ave
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 649-9600
Enrollment: 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
ATA College
Private for-profit
1810 Gillespie Way, Suite 104
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 596-2766
Enrollment: 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Barstow Community College
Public
2700 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
(760) 252-2411
Enrollment: 4,614 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 In-state tuition: $1,104 Out-state tuition: $5,400 Minority enrollment: 76%
Bellus Academy-Poway
Private for-profit
13266 Poway Rd
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-1490
Enrollment: 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
California Career College
Private for-profit
7003 Owensmouth Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 710-1310
Enrollment: 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
California Career Institute
Private for-profit
1240 S State College BLVD Ste. 150
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 232-5668
Enrollment: 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 45:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
California College of Music
Private for-profit
42 South Catalina Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 577-1751
Enrollment: 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Minority enrollment: 95%
California Institute of Arts & Technology
Private for-profit
401 Mile of Cars Way Suite 100
National City, CA 91950
(877) 559-3621
Enrollment: 2,112 students Student-teacher ratio: 45:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
California Nurses Educational Institute
Private for-profit
72769 Dinah Shore Dr.
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 416-5955
Enrollment: 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Carrington College-Citrus Heights
Private for-profit
7310 A Greenback Lane A
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
(916) 209-5079
Enrollment: 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Acceptance rate: 96% Minority enrollment: 96%
Carrington College-Ontario
Private for-profit
4580 Ontario Mills Parkway #200
Ontario, CA 91764
(909) 366-4122
Enrollment: 128 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Carrington College-Sacramento
Private for-profit
8909 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 361-1660
Enrollment: 2,207 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Acceptance rate: 89% Minority enrollment: 82%
Casa Loma College-Los Angeles
Casa Loma College-Los Angeles Photo
Private not-for-profit
15301 Ventura Blvd. Suite D-100
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(800) 270-5052
Enrollment: 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Acceptance rate: 43% Minority enrollment: 72%
CBD College
Private not-for-profit
3699 Wilshire Blvd., Fourth Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 427-2200
Enrollment: 1,581 students Student-teacher ratio: 45:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Central California School of Continuing Education
Private for-profit
3195 McMillan Ste F
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-9123
Enrollment: 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Citrus College
Public
1000 W Foothill Blvd
Glendora, CA 91741
(626) 963-0323
Enrollment: 10,429 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Acceptance rate: 65% In-state tuition: $1,176 Out-state tuition: $6,144 Minority enrollment: 85%
Compton College
Compton College Photo - Compton College's 2025 Commencement Ceremony was held on June 13 at Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA). We were proud to recognize the Class of 2025, with 510 students earning associate degrees and 372 certificates were awarded.
Public
1111 East Artesia Blvd.
Compton, CA 90221
(310) 900-1600
Enrollment: 5,225 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Acceptance rate: 70% In-state tuition: $1,142 Out-state tuition: $5,678 Minority enrollment: 97%
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove
Private for-profit
12951 Euclid Street, Suite 101
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 703-1900
Enrollment: 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Acceptance rate: 97% Minority enrollment: 95%
Contra Costa Medical Career College
Private for-profit
4041 Lone Tree Way Suite 101
Antioch, CA 94581
(925) 757-2900
Enrollment: 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Crafton Hills College
Crafton Hills College Photo - Crafton Hills College Commencement
Public
11711 Sand Canyon Road
Yucaipa, CA 92339
(909) 794-2161
Enrollment: 5,919 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 In-state tuition: $1,142 Out-state tuition: $5,606 Minority enrollment: 69%
Cuesta College
Public
Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805) 546-3100
Enrollment: 11,283 students Student-teacher ratio: 47:1 Acceptance rate: 55% In-state tuition: $1,234 Out-state tuition: $6,408 Minority enrollment: 51%
Downey Adult School
Public
12340 Woodruff Ave.
Downey, CA 90241
(562) 940-6200
Enrollment: 953 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Empire College
Private for-profit
3035 Cleveland Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 546-4000
Enrollment: 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
FIDM-Fashion Institute Of Design & Merchandising
Private for-profit
919 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 624-1200
Enrollment: 564 students Acceptance rate: 36% Private-state tuition: $29,930 Minority enrollment: 70%
17590 Gillette Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 851-6200
Enrollment: 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Acceptance rate: 67% Private-state tuition: $29,930 Minority enrollment: 68%
Galaxy Medical College
Private for-profit
6400 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 115
North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818) 509-9970
Enrollment: 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Minority enrollment: 58%
Glendale Career College
Private for-profit
240 North Brand Boulevard Lower Level
Glendale, CA 91203
Enrollment: 1,023 students Minority enrollment: 75%
Show 100 more community colleges in California (out of 263 total colleges)
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[+] Show Closed Community Colleges in California

Community Colleges in California (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
13180 Paramount Blvd.
South Gate, CA 90280
(562) 408-6969
Enrollment: 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
1615 Murray Canyon Road, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 321-3000
Enrollment: 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Private-state tuition: $13,663 Minority enrollment: 56%
Santa Monica Bus Park, 2900 31st St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(412) 918-5568
Enrollment: 1,436 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Private-state tuition: $18,748 Minority enrollment: 94%
4825 E. Pacific Coast Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 597-6611
Enrollment: 28 students
2339 Gold Meadow Way, Suite 111
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 649-2400
Enrollment: 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
6602 Convoy Court Ste 100
San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 293-0190
Enrollment: 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
1151 San Gabriel Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 940-2000
3460 Wilshire Blvd Ste 500
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 388-9950
Enrollment: 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 In-state tuition: $11,424 Out-state tuition: $11,424 Minority enrollment: 94%
1460 S. Milliken Ave
Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 984-5027
Enrollment: 707 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
350 Tenth Avenue, Third Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 235-2049
Enrollment: 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Acceptance rate: 59% Private-state tuition: $29,930 Minority enrollment: 62%
55 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 675-5200
Enrollment: 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Acceptance rate: 32% Private-state tuition: $29,930 Minority enrollment: 67%
5130 Commercial Circle
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 288-5800
Enrollment: 1,232 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 82%
255 W Bullard
Fresno, CA 93704
(559) 438-4222
Enrollment: 1,301 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 90%
25500 Industrial Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 783-2100
Enrollment: 943 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 88%
2910 Prospect Park Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 414-1700
Enrollment: 857 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 82%
Seven Sierra Gate Plaza
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 789-8600
Enrollment: 1,049 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 70%
1450 N Main St
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 443-1700
Enrollment: 682 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 94%
875 Howard Street Suite 100
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 808-3000
Enrollment: 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 87%
341 Great Mall Pky
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 934-4900
Enrollment: 1,255 students Student-teacher ratio: 40:1 Private-state tuition: $13,620 Minority enrollment: 92%
1201 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(717) 380-1385
Enrollment: 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Acceptance rate: 33% In-state tuition: $17,000 Out-state tuition: $17,000 Minority enrollment: 89%
2450 Del Paso Road-St 250
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 285-9468
Enrollment: 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
9025 Balboa Ave Ste 130
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 505-1100
Enrollment: 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Private-state tuition: $7,417 Minority enrollment: 50%
3979 trust way
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 785-8522
5104 old ironsides dr, ste 113
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 496-0655
362 North Clovis Ave
Clovis, CA 93612
(559) 325-5400
Enrollment: 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Acceptance rate: 95% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 69%
1140 Galaxy Way Ste 400
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 674-8200
Enrollment: 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Acceptance rate: 88% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 66%
16916 S. Harlan Rd
Lathrop, CA 95330
(209) 858-0077
Enrollment: 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Acceptance rate: 98% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 66%
2051 Solar Dr Suite 150
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 988-0143
Enrollment: 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Acceptance rate: 90% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 65%
10863 Gold Center Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 851-3900
Enrollment: 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Acceptance rate: 86% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 49%
670 E Carnegie Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
(909) 806-4600
Enrollment: 686 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Acceptance rate: 95% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 76%
12669 Encinitas Ave
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 364-5151
Enrollment: 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Acceptance rate: 97% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 74%
2555 W. 190th Street, Suite 125
Torrance, CA 90504
(310) 965-5900
Enrollment: 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Acceptance rate: 86% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 91%
530 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 229-1300
Enrollment: 1,792 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1 Private-state tuition: $13,413 Minority enrollment: 82%
350 Rhode Island Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 216-4416
Enrollment: 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Private-state tuition: $14,774 Minority enrollment: 97%
14519 W.Sylvan Street
Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 382-6000
Enrollment: 317 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Show 10 more closed community colleges in California (out of 45 total colleges)
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Overview

This State (CA)
Total Faculty
72 staff
Number of Programs Offered
8

Student Body

Total Enrollment
6,838 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
44:1
# Full-Time Students
1,022 students
# Part-Time Students
5,816 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
381 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
967 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
96 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5,798 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
21 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
% Asian
12%
% Hispanic
46%
% Black
7%
% White
23%
% Hawaiian
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
% Non Resident races
1%
% Unknown races
6%
Diversity Score
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
42%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
43%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,700

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

In-State Tuition Fees
$1,236
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,577
Private State Tuition Fees
$18,639
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,272
Acceptance Rate
81%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many community colleges are located in California?
There are 263 community colleges serving 1,576,247 students in California.
How much do community colleges cost in California?
The average tuition for community colleges in California is approximately $1,236 per year for in-state students and $6,577 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $18,639.
What are the top-ranked community colleges in California?
The top-ranked community colleges in California include Central Coast College, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, and San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova.
What is the community college acceptance rate in California?
The average community college acceptance rate in California is 77% (compared to national acceptance rates).
How diverse are community colleges in California?
Community colleges in California have approximately 77% minority enrollment, with the majority being Hispanic.

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