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Cheapest community colleges in California

Community colleges in California ranked by published in-state tuition, lowest first. Published tuition is the sticker price; the price you actually pay is typically much lower after federal Pell grants and state aid. Use this list as a starting point, then file the FAFSA to see your real cost.

  1. Barstow Community CollegeBarstow, CA$1,104
  2. Taft CollegeTaft, CA$1,108
  3. Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, CA$1,124
  4. Woodland Community CollegeWoodland, CA$1,124
  5. Yuba CollegeMarysville, CA$1,128
  6. Lake Tahoe Community CollegeSouth Lake Tahoe, CA$1,131
  7. Compton CollegeCompton, CA$1,142
  8. El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance, CA$1,144
  9. Lassen Community CollegeSusanville, CA$1,144
  10. San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA$1,146
  11. San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA$1,146
  12. San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, CA$1,146
  13. Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, CA$1,148
  14. Chabot CollegeHayward, CA$1,150
  15. Fullerton CollegeFullerton, CA$1,150
  16. Irvine Valley CollegeIrvine, CA$1,156
  17. Napa Valley CollegeNapa, CA$1,156
  18. Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo, CA$1,156
  19. Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica, CA$1,156
  20. College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita, CA$1,166
  21. Las Positas CollegeLivermore, CA$1,168
  22. Solano Community CollegeFairfield, CA$1,172
  23. Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CA$1,180
  24. San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, CA$1,180
  25. Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, CA$1,184
  26. Monterey Peninsula CollegeMonterey, CA$1,188
  27. Glendale Community CollegeGlendale, CA$1,191
  28. San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino, CA$1,196
  29. Shasta CollegeRedding, CA$1,197
  30. College of the RedwoodsEureka, CA$1,198
  31. Merced CollegeMerced, CA$1,200
  32. Ohlone CollegeFremont, CA$1,202
  33. East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey Park, CA$1,238
  34. Los Angeles City CollegeLos Angeles, CA$1,238
  35. Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmington, CA$1,238
  36. Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmar, CA$1,238
  37. Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills, CA$1,238
  38. Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos Angeles, CA$1,238
  39. Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley Glen, CA$1,238
  40. West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City, CA$1,238
  41. Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara, CA$1,240
  42. Berkeley City CollegeBerkeley, CA$1,258
  43. College of AlamedaAlameda, CA$1,258
  44. Laney CollegeOakland, CA$1,258
  45. Cabrillo CollegeAptos, CA$1,270
  46. Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, CA$1,272
  47. Columbia CollegeSonora, CA$1,282
  48. Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CA$1,282
  49. American River CollegeSacramento, CA$1,288
  50. Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, CA$1,288

Reading the list

The figures above are the published in-state tuition rates each California community college reports to the U.S. Department of Education. These are the rates posted to the institution's tuition schedule before any aid is applied. For most California community-college students, federal Pell grants alone cover a substantial share of tuition, and state aid programs in California often cover the remainder for residents who qualify. Out-of-state tuition is typically higher; check the individual college profile for both rates.

Tuition alone is not the right comparison for a complete cost picture. The College Scorecard also reports total annual cost of attendance — tuition plus required fees, books, room and board (if applicable), and other expenses — which is the more meaningful number when you are budgeting for a year of school. Each college's full profile lists cost of attendance alongside tuition. For students who can live at home and avoid room-and-board costs, the gap between tuition and cost of attendance shrinks substantially.

If your goal is the lowest possible total cost, the cheapest tuition isn't always the right pick. A slightly more expensive program with a higher transfer rate or stronger articulation agreement with a four-year university may produce a lower total degree cost overall, because lost credit on transfer can erase the savings of a low community-college tuition.