There are 116 community colleges in California. To narrow down your search on community colleges that may be around your area, click here

Programs Offered: 

• Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree
• Vocational Certificates
• Transfer options to 4-year universities

Cost:

• $46.00 a unit
• Average class is 3 units = $138 per class
• Average students enrolls in 12 units per semester = $552 per semester

Admission Requirements

• No subject requirements
• Must be 18 years old
• High school diploma or equivalent
• No SAT or ACT required

To begin applying to a community college:

1. Go to OpenCCC to create an account here. You will need your birthday, email, and social security number (SSN) if you have one (if you do not have an SSN, select that option)
2. Once you create your account, you will go to the community college you wish to apply to and click apply at the top of the page.
3. You will be redirected to a page and scroll down and click the click here to begin the application button, where you'll then be prompted to log in with the OpenCCC account you created.
4. After logging in, you will select what term you will be applying for (e.g., Fall 2021) and begin your application.
5. Once you complete the application, you should receive an email in 2 - 4 business days that have your school ID number and directions for how to proceed with the next steps on how to create your student account for your college.
6. The next steps of your application will include completing an orientation and scheduling an appointment with an academic counselor from the college to set up an education plan and discuss classes.
7. Please make sure that you apply to your school’s Promise Program, as these programs can pay for 1 or both years of your community college (depending on the program’s requirements) and can provide funding for books and laptops. For schools in the LACCD district, complete the Promise application here

What is the California Promise Program?

The California College Promise Grant and the California Promise are separate programs. The California Promise program is intended to help make college affordable to all students, support the goals in the vision for success, strengthen guided pathways, and encourage innovation. The rising cost of education is on the minds of many families as they worry about going into debt. The California Promise is a great way for families to consider another path to obtaining a college degree. With this program, if a student enrolls to attend a California Community College, is a full-time student, and submits their financial aid application (FAFSA or Dream Act), they will be considered a California Promise student. You will be granted two years of college for FREE.

What is the California Promise Grant?

For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived.

What is TAG?

TAG stands for Transfer Admission Guarantee and is a program that offers students from a community college guaranteed admission to several colleges and universities. You must meet certain requirements and deadlines and in some cases, fill out a contract. Six UC campuses offer guaranteed admission to California community college students who meet specific requirements. By participating in a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, students may receive an early review of their academic records, early admission notification, and specific guidance about major preparation and general education coursework.

The TAG matrix [PDF] provides a list of the UC campuses participating in this program, along with eligibility criteria and campus-specific notes.

What is an Associate Degree for Transfer?

Associate degrees for transfer (also called ADTs or transfer degrees) are designed to provide a clear pathway for California community college students to California State University (CSU) degrees. California community college students who earn an associate degree for transfer are guaranteed admission with junior standing to select CSU campuses and are given priority admission consideration over the other transfer students. Students who have completed a transfer degree in a major deemed similar to a CSU major are able to complete the remaining requirements at that CSU within 60 units after transfer. For more information, speak to your counselor.

College Search Tool:

To expand your college search, use these helpful websites

California Colleges

Big Future

The Princeton Review

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