Dutchess Community College Photo #4 - DCC keeps up with the changing technology so our students will be prepared to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year school with the most up-to-date skills.

Dutchess Community College

53 Pendell Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
  • The mission of Dutchess Community College is to provide open access to affordable, quality post-secondary education to citizens of Dutchess County and others. As a comprehensive community college, DCC offers college transfer and occupational/technical degree programs, certificate programs, lifelong learning opportunities, and service to the community. The College provides educational experiences that enable qualified students to expand their academic capabilities and further develop thinking and decision making skills. By providing a full collegiate experience, the College seeks to ensure that all students achieve their individual potential.

School Highlights

Dutchess Community College serves 6,606 students (40% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 34:1 is higher than the state community college average of 24:1.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 63%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 6,606 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,635
  • Out-state tuition: $6,835
  • Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
  • Minority enrollment: 51%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Dutchess Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:

Category
Attribute
Affordability
Community Size

School Overview

The teacher population of 197 teachers has declined by 60% over five years.
Dutchess Community College
(NY) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private not-for-profit
Year Founded
1957
Campus Size
130 acres
Total Faculty
197 staff
43 staff
School Calendar
AccreditationAccred.
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

Student Body

The student population of Dutchess Community College has declined by 17% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 34:1 has increased from 17:1 over five years.
The Dutchess Community College diversity score of 0.68 is less than the state average of 0.76. The school's diversity has grown by 16% over five years.
Total Enrollment
6,606 students
953 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio
34:1
24:1
# Full-Time Students
2,645 students
528 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Students
3,961 students
425 students

Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Enrollment Undergraduate
6,606 students
717 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,645 students
511 students

Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,961 students
495 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
465 students
382 students
% Asian
3%
8%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
24%
23%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
12%
19%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% White
49%
37%

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
3%
% Unknown races
7%
7%
Diversity Score
0.68
0.76

Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
27%
35%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,700
$35,300

Tuition & Financial Aid

The public in-state tuition of $3,635 is less than the state average of $5,849. The in-state tuition has declined by 26% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,835 is less than the state average of $10,299. The out-state tuition has declined by 27% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,635
$5,849
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,835
$10,299
Tuition Notes
$2,500 per semester
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
71%
89%

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Graduates
$9,750
$13,500

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Founded in 1957, DCC has the lowest tuition of any college or university in the state. The college offers Associate's degrees and Certificates in over 60 academic areas of study. Our curriculums include career-oriented programs as well as those designed for successful transfer to a four-year college or university. Dutchess Community College is situated on a 130-acre hilltop campus with fantastic scenery and a park-like setting. Graced with lovely buildings and facilities, the campus is also enhanced by beautiful landscaping and a broad array of sculptures and other art. On fair-weather days, many of the College's 8,000 students can be seen strolling along the walkways or studying in one of the many attractive outdoor settings. Class sizes at Dutchess are small, with the average class size being less than 20 students. Dutchess was the first college in the state to offer a comprehensive jointly-registered transfer program in teacher education (with SUNY New Paltz), covering birth through twelfth grade. The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Maurice Gordon, STEM Scholarship namesake -

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Dutchess Community College cost?
Dutchess Community College's tuition is approximately $3,635 for In-State students and $6,835 for Out-State students.
Who are famous alumni from Dutchess Community College?
Dutchess Community College famous alumni include: Maurice Gordon, STEM Scholarship namesake.
What is Dutchess Community College's ranking?
Dutchess Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in New York for: Least expensive tuition, Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 6,606 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,635
  • Out-state tuition: $6,835
  • Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
  • Minority enrollment: 51%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For New York public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,849 per year for in-state students and $10,299 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $16,823 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in New York is 73%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

New York community colleges have a diversity score of 0.76, which is higher than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in New York is Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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