For public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,987 per year for in-state students and $8,699 for out-of-state students (2026).
For private colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $15,579 per year.
Tuition Range: $3,216
$15,034
Avg. Tuition: $7,340
Average Community College Tuition Cost (2026)
State
Average Tuition
Public Colleges
In-State
Out-State
Private Colleges
Most Affordable Colleges
$6,413
$4,428
$7,209
$13,546
$4,113
$2,994
$4,750
$9,645
Most Affordable Colleges:
$5,667
$1,876
$7,132
$16,719
$5,068
$1,236
$6,577
$18,639
$8,279
$3,712
$10,526
$16,978
$11,553
$5,329
$15,711
$21,887
Most Affordable Colleges:
$9,822
$4,712
$11,524
$15,502
$6,591
$3,346
$6,958
$15,229
$5,239
$2,815
$7,663
n/a
$5,636
$4,331
$4,920
$17,086
$5,444
$3,634
$7,627
$3,950
$9,747
$8,019
$10,874
$14,123
$7,873
$4,323
$8,214
$16,430
Most Affordable Colleges:
$4,895
$3,402
$4,296
$17,451
$8,978
$3,629
$12,449
$13,988
Most Affordable Colleges:
$6,541
$4,056
$6,873
$16,300
Most Affordable Colleges:
- Louisiana Technical College-Ascension Campus (1,587.00)
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College (2,472.00)
- Northwest Louisiana Technical College-Mansfield Campus (2,644.00)
- Northwest Louisiana Technical College-Shreveport Campus (2,644.00)
- Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (2,644.00)
- View Full List of Top-Ranked LA Schools
$12,411
$4,424
$9,401
$30,006
$6,763
$5,633
$7,892
n/a
$6,680
$4,020
$7,666
$13,369
$6,370
$4,915
$6,808
$9,806
$7,015
$5,530
$6,060
$17,176
$7,212
$3,825
$5,579
$16,692
$3,445
$2,427
$4,463
n/a
$6,463
$4,139
$8,788
n/a
Most Affordable Colleges:
$7,413
$3,915
$9,508
$19,438
$6,314
$4,431
$7,084
$10,764
$6,418
$4,615
$5,803
$16,095
$11,024
$6,952
$15,095
n/a
$7,656
$5,470
$7,575
$16,268
$3,216
$1,992
$4,440
n/a
$8,284
$2,700
$9,345
$14,315
$10,597
$5,892
$10,342
$16,898
$9,304
$5,419
$10,873
$13,994
$6,484
$3,475
$7,963
$14,142
$5,461
$4,098
$6,824
n/a
$15,034
$11,141
$16,403
$17,224
$4,681
$2,169
$2,801
$6,531
Most Affordable Colleges:
- Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto De San Juan (1,105.00)
- Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto De Guayama (1,105.00)
- Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto De Manati (1,125.00)
- Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto De Ponce (1,125.00)
- Colegio Universitario de San Juan (2,370.00)
- View Full List of Top-Ranked PR Schools
$8,394
$5,692
$10,568
$11,922
$6,619
$5,786
$5,786
$13,287
$11,075
$5,176
$15,746
$12,792
$5,844
$3,713
$6,099
$13,462
$11,084
$4,544
$13,647
$13,925
$8,214
$3,581
$8,577
$15,536
$5,509
$4,105
$7,359
n/a
$6,172
$4,194
$6,373
$13,728
$7,065
$3,640
$8,321
$12,270
Most Affordable Colleges:
- New River Community and Technical College (2,796.00)
- Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (3,806.00)
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (4,812.00)
- Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College (6,030.00)
- West Virginia Northern Community College (6,202.00)
- View Full List of Top-Ranked WV Schools
$4,923
$2,855
$6,991
n/a
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national average community college tuition?
For public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,987 per year for in-state students and $8,699 for out-of-state students (2026). For private colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $15,579.
What are the most expensive community college in the United States?
The most expensive community college in the United States include Clovis Community College, Louisiana Technical College-Ascension Campus and Midland College.
What is the state with the lowest average community college tuition?
The state with the lowest average community college tuition is New Mexico.
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