Community College of Philadelphia
Tel:
(215)751-8000
- Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate's degree-granting institution which provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies, and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment, and lifelong learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.
School Highlights
- Community College of Philadelphia serves 19,119 students (25% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 31:1 is higher than the state community college average of 25:1.
- Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 37%.
- Community College of Philadelphia is one of 12 community colleges within Philadelphia County, PA.
- The nearest community college to Community College of Philadelphia is Hussian College (0.2 miles away).
Top Placements
Community College of Philadelphia places among the top 20% of community colleges in Pennsylvania for:
- Category Attribute
- Diversity Diversity in US community colleges
- Community Size Largest student body
- Diversity Average community college minority breakdown
School Overview
- The teacher population of 607 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
| Community College of Philadelphia | (PA) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | Less than 2 yrs | At least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs |
| Institution Control | Public | Private, non-profit |
| Total Faculty | 607 staff | 25 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 19,119 students | 618 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 31:1 | 25:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 4,832 students | 372 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 14,287 students | 246 students |
 |  | |
| % Asian | 6% | 2% |
| % Hispanic | 9% | 7% |
| % Black | 40% | 14% |
| % White | 25% | 63% |
| % Two or more races | 2% | 2% |
| % Non Resident races | 11% | 2% |
| % Unknown races | 7% | 10% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.75 | 0.57 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 10% | 55% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $34,900 | $34,800 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Founded in 1964, the College opened for classes in 1965 in a former department store at 34 S. 11th Street while a permanent campus was being sought. In 1971 the College acquired from the federal government the building at 1700 Spring Garden Street that had housed the third Philadelphia Mint and eventually would become the centerpiece of its permanent campus. Community College of Philadelphia is the only public institution of higher education in the City. Since 1965, over 500,000 students have passed through our doors seeking associate's degrees, certificates, improved workplace skills and lifelong learning. Many of our degree students transfer to four-year institutions while others seek employment in the Philadelphia region. Over 90 percent of our graduates remain in the area and seek employment, strengthening our local economy and workforce. Local businesses look to us to provide workplace training to keep their workers skilled and their companies competitive. The college offers over 70 degree and certificate programs in art, science, business, technology and liberal arts. Classes are held during the day, in the evening and on Saturdays at the Main Campus, our three Regional Centers and at neighborhood sites throughout the City. Distance education classes are also available. The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Community College of Philadelphia is Hussian College (0.2 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- Hussian CollegePrivate, for profit79 students | 0.20 Mi1500 Spring Garden Street, Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215)574-9600 0.2079 - Metropolitan Career Center Computer Technology InstitutePrivate, non-profit31 students | 0.80 Mi100 South Broad Street, Suite 830
Philadelphia, PA 19110
(215)568-9215 0.8031 - Kaplan Career Institute-PhiladelphiaPrivate, for profit610 students | 1.10 Mi3010 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215)594-4000 1.10610 - Peirce CollegePrivate, non-profit1,833 students | 1.20 Mi1420 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(888)467-3472 1.201,833 - 533 students | 1.60 Mi3600 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215)382-1553 1.60533
Recent Articles
Learn about the latest initiative from Jobs for the Future, Accelerating Opportunity, a Breaking Through Initiative, which is designed to ensure more workers in this country have the skills they need to land good jobs. It is a four-year, multi-state initiative that promises to change the way community colleges look at adult education.
Many students enroll in community college with the intent of transferring to a four-year school. Of those who do, many succeed, and yet traditional colleges and universities continue to overlook them. Read on to learn more about why more community college students don’t transfer schools and to receive some tips for making the transfer yourself.
Community college is the only option for many students who either can’t afford a traditional four-year university or who need a more flexible school environment. Just because community college is different, however, doesn’t mean that its students matter any less. The Aspen Prize exists to encourage community colleges to do more for their students and to continually strive for improvement.
