Columbia College Photo

Best California Community Colleges

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 263 community colleges serving 1,576,991 students in California (136 public colleges and 127 private colleges).
The average tuition for community colleges in California is approximately $1,238 per year for in-state students and $6,634 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 Casa Loma College-Los Angeles, American University of Health Sciences, and California Career Institute.
The average community college acceptance rate in California is 84% (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 (2026-27)

College
Location
Quick Facts
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%
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%
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 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%
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%
Cuesta College
Public
Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805) 546-3100
Enrollment: 11,283 students Student-teacher ratio: 47:1 In-state tuition: $1,234 Out-state tuition: $6,408 Minority enrollment: 51%
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%
14101 E. Nelson Ave
La Puente, CA 91746
(626) 934-2801
Enrollment: 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
MTI College
Private for-profit
5221 Madison Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 339-1500
Enrollment: 2,000 students Acceptance rate: 63% Minority enrollment: 71%
Pacific College
Private for-profit
3160 Red Hill Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 662-4402
Enrollment: 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 56% Minority enrollment: 89%
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 Minority enrollment: 59%
Skyline College
Public
3300 College Dr
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 738-4100
Enrollment: 9,572 students Student-teacher ratio: 48:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $552 Out-state tuition: $3,348 Minority enrollment: 81%
Stanbridge University
Private for-profit
2041 Business Ctr Dr Ste 107
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 794-9090
Enrollment: 2,928 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Acceptance rate: 10% Minority enrollment: 88%
Xavier College School of Nursing
Private for-profit
1340 North El Dorado Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 941-0968
Enrollment: 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 36% Minority enrollment: 82%
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
Private for-profit
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
(818) 240-6900
Enrollment: 204 students Minority enrollment: 77%
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%
Blake Austin College
Private for-profit
770 Mason Street, Suite 200
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 455-0557
Enrollment: 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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 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%
Canada College
Public
4200 Farm Hill Blvd.
Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 306-3100
Enrollment: 6,625 students Student-teacher ratio: 46:1 In-state tuition: $1,452 Out-state tuition: $8,022 Minority enrollment: 75%
Career Networks Institute
Private for-profit
1610 E. Saint Andrew Place Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 437-9697
Enrollment: 1,133 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
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%
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%
Chabot College
Public
25555 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 723-6600
Enrollment: 12,842 students Student-teacher ratio: 40:1 In-state tuition: $1,138 Out-state tuition: $6,970 Minority enrollment: 82%
Citrus College
Public
1000 W Foothill Blvd
Glendora, CA 91741
(626) 963-0323
Enrollment: 10,429 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 In-state tuition: $1,176 Out-state tuition: $6,144 Minority enrollment: 85%
City College of San Francisco
Public
50 Frida Kahlo Drive
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 239-3000
Enrollment: 19,267 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 In-state tuition: $1,290 Out-state tuition: $7,246 Minority enrollment: 78%
College of San Mateo
Public
1700 W Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 574-6161
Enrollment: 9,901 students Student-teacher ratio: 41:1 In-state tuition: $1,418 Out-state tuition: $6,206 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%
201 E. 4th Street, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 586-5775
Enrollment: 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
6001 Shellmound St. Ste. 145
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 420-5100
Enrollment: 205 students Minority enrollment: 91%
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%
1950 Camino Vida Roble, Ste. 125
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(800) 342-7342
Enrollment: 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Private-state tuition: $17,150
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% Private-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%
Show 19 more closed community colleges in California (out of 54 total colleges)
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Overview

This State (CA)
Total Faculty
72 staff
Number of Programs Offered
9

Student Body

Total Enrollment
6,850 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Student-Teacher Ratio
44:1
# Full-Time Students
1,034 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Part-Time Students
5,816 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Enrollment Undergraduate
2,055 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
967 students

Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Full-Time Graduate Students
96 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5,850 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
25 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
% Asian
12%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Hispanic
46%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Black
7%
% White
23%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Two or more races
5%
% Non Resident races
1%
% Unknown races
6%
Diversity Score
0.71

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
42.21%

Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
43%
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$46,345

Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges with a value differ by period. The line does not show inflation-adjusted growth for a fixed group of colleges.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

In-State Tuition Fees
$1,238
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,634
Private State Tuition Fees
$18,639
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
85%

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Median Debt for Graduates
$10,500

Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data

Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,272

Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data

Acceptance Rate
96%

Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Frequently Asked Questions

How many community colleges are located in California?
There are 263 community colleges serving 1,576,991 students in California.
How much do community colleges cost in California?
The average tuition for community colleges in California is approximately $1,238 per year for in-state students and $6,634 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 Casa Loma College-Los Angeles, American University of Health Sciences, and California Career Institute.
What is the community college acceptance rate in California?
The average community college acceptance rate in California is 84% (compared to national acceptance rates).
What is the community college diversity score in California?
Community colleges in California have a diversity score of 0.71, which is lower than the national average of 0.74 (compared to national diversity statistics).
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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