9 Best Community Colleges in Colorado

If attending any of the community colleges in Colorado has been one of your wishes, you are fortunate today to find this well-compiled list of the top 9 community colleges in Colorado. So just quickly follow me and let’s find out about these schools together. 

Colorado is one of the 50 states in the USA known for its gorgeous landscapes, wildlife, and the variety of activities it offers. Colorado is always on the top list of states in America that have a high education profile when it comes to education.

According to a recent data analysis published by WalletHub in 2022, Colorado was listed as the fourth ‘most educated’ state in the USA.

Generally, the USA is one of the top places known for offering quality education. Still, its universities are costly, and they are even costlier for international students, though there are still cheap universities in America where international students can go.

Community colleges are way cheaper than universities, so students who cannot afford to attend a university always have the option of enrolling in one. Colorado community colleges are not the only community colleges in the USA, as there are still a lot of them, including community colleges in Texas and Florida community colleges. All states in the USA have such schools.

What exactly is a community college?

Community colleges are local public schools that offer two-year programs leading to the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. They prepare students for transfer into a four-year college or university.

All community colleges in Colorado have an open admissions policy because they believe in encouraging and assisting all motivated high school graduates, dual-credit students, and working adults to pursue their highest academic goals.

Their transfer policy is guaranteed and allows you to seamlessly transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree at any public university in Colorado.

These schools focus more on practicum rather than theory, making it a better choice for students who prefer learning through practicals.

For international students wishing to study abroad in any community college in Colorado, it will be a life-changing experience. Still, you also have to bear in mind that the cost of studying abroad is no joke. So you should expect to pay a higher tuition fee (about two times higher) than that of the local students (in-state students).

If paying tuition fees would be difficult for you, you should learn how to get student loans for studying abroad or even apply for a scholarship.

Let’s quickly see the list of the best community colleges in Colorado.

Are There Community Colleges in Colorado for International Students?

Community colleges in Colorado are two-year schools that are a popular option for international students. About 90% of these schools offer open-access admission, which means nearly all qualifying students can attend. As a result, students from far away countries like China, India, Europe, and others can be admitted into any community colleges in Colorado once they qualify.

Requirements for Community Colleges in Colorado?

You must be at least 17 and a high school graduate. Must be a GED certificate completer, homeschooled student, or a high school non-graduate; you’re welcome to apply. It is good to know that most community colleges in Colorado do not have an application fee. 

If you’re ready to take the first step toward an associate degree, a certificate, or need a pathway to a 4-year public institution in Colorado,

community colleges in colorado

Community Colleges in Colorado

Here are the top 9 community colleges in Colorado; carefully go through them and choose which suits you best.

1. Arapahoe Community College

Arapahoe Community College (ACC), founded in 1965 as Arapahoe Junior College, was the first two-year college in the Greater Denver Metropolitan area. The college grew out of a grassroots effort by Littleton residents who wanted to provide post-high school education in the area.

Arapahoe Community College is among the top community colleges in Colorado. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a North Central Association of Colleges and Schools member.

The school is unique among all community colleges for its impressive size, affordable tuition fees, and highly experienced faculty. Some of them teach classes at major universities, meaning that you obtain a five-star education at a fraction of the cost.

ACC is committed to affordability, so they hold their tuition low and offer financial aid and scholarships to help offset the cost of your education. In addition, they offer over 100 degree and certificate programs that allow you to start your career or transfer to a 4-year university to complete your bachelor’s degree.
Their program pathways include Arts, Communication & Design, Business, Global, Human, & Social Sciences. Health, Math & Sciences, Public Services, Technology, Bachelor’s and Partner, Degrees, Transfer Degrees.
Arapahoe community college tuition costs $153/credit hour for Colorado residents with COF, $247/ credit hour for residents without COF, and $230/ credit hour.

2. Colorado Northwestern Community College

Colorado Northwestern is one college in two Colorado communities. Depending on what you want to study, CNCC has the perfect surroundings and facilities to meet your needs.

Founded in 1962 as “Rangely College,” CNCC now serves nearly 1,800 students on two campuses, two service centers, and online. Their campuses are located in Craig and Rangely and are 90 miles apart in the mountains and canyons of Northwestern Colorado.

Northwestern is a leading research university home to more than 90 school-based centers and more than 50 University research centers. Our research spans a spectrum of areas, including neuroscience, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and drug discovery with an interdisciplinary culture.

The school awards degrees and certificates in 9 different fields. Popular programs include: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Health Professions and Related Programs, and Transportation and Materials Moving.

The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredits CNCC.

Colorado Northwestern Community College is affordable, but you can also receive various types of financial aid, like 85% of our full-time students do.

CNCC tuition fee is $5,354.50 for residents after COF, $7,655 for WUE students and 8,423.50 for out-of-state residents.

Visit Colorado Northwestern Community College

3. Community College of Aurora

The Community College of Aurora (CCA) is a two-year public, open-access institution in Aurora, Colorado, and is one of 13 community colleges in the Colorado Community College System.

Prestigious takes education to a whole new level, combining solid theory with practical training. With this approach, we equip students with relevant learning to lead to a solid and secure future. This makes CCA an exciting place to learn and grow.

The school of choice for nearly 10,800 students representing over 60 countries, CCA’s service area includes nearly 686,000 residents in Arapahoe, Adams, and Denver counties. As a result, its student population reflects the broad diversity of this area.

The college offers more than 103 degrees and certificate programs for students seeking to enhance their current skill set, pursue employment, or transfer to a four-year college or university.

CCA is set to help students succeed in college and beyond. Cutting-edge technology, outstanding faculty, student clubs, and countless services ensure that students meet their goals.

Tuition for the community college of Aurora is $247.35 per credit hour.

Visit Community College of Aurora

4. Community College of Denver

Community College of Denver (CCD), established in 1967, is one of Colorado’s widely known community colleges.

Denver’s educational programs are designed to enrich our community, nation, and world’s social, civic, and economic fabric. Through innovation, open exploration of ideas, and preparation of a well-trained workforce, CCD enriches our democracy and supports a vibrant local economy.

Programs and strategies that promote access, as well as an academic and personal success for underserved students, are the foundation of CCD operations.

Among all the community colleges in coloradO, CCD is also the only community college in the nation to share a campus with two four-year universities — Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado – Denver.

CCD is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Their learning environment is serene and conducive, thereby enhancing learning.
Tuition for the community college of Denver is $247.35 for residents and $629.25 for non-residents.

5. Front Range Community College

Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public institution in Rangely, Colorado. Its campus is located in a rural with a total enrollment of 1,154. The school utilizes a semester-based academic year. The student-faculty ratio is 13-to-1.

Front Range Community College’s number one priority is student success. They believe that learning is a partnership among students, faculty, and staff. We are dedicated to providing opportunities for diverse learners to reach their goals in a safe, supportive environment.

They offer more than 1,000 on-campus and 270 online classes you can take to earn any of the 25 degrees or 13 certificates we offer fully online. You can also take online classes when on-campus classes don’t fit your schedule or even use on-campus classes to supplement your online learning.

The Higher Learning Commission accredits the school.

Tuition for FRCC is $247.35 for resident students and 629.25 for non-resident students.

Visit Front Range Community College

6. Lamar Community College

Lamar Community College is a learner-centered, coeducational, two-year post-secondary institution. LCC enriches lives through learning and is committed to providing its more than 1,000 students with:

Transfer programs that qualify students for admission to four-year colleges and universities. Educational offerings that meet the occupational needs of students in technical and vocational fields.
Developmental education to build basic academic skills. There are opportunities for perpetual learning and lifelong development and an environment that supports learners and learning.

Lamar Community College is authorized to provide post-secondary education programs by the State of Colorado. It is among the community colleges in Colorado accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Lamar tuition fee is %233 for residents and $248 for non-resident students

7. Morgan Community College

Morgan community college is among the community colleges in Colorado that develop learners and responsive leaders who inspire innovation and passion in future generations.
The prestigious school, established in 1970, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

MCC has served Fort Morgan and the I-70 corridor for over 50 years, offering over 50 programs and awards certificates, transfer associate, and terminal associate degrees, covering an 11,500 square mile service area, the biggest in northeastern Colorado.

Students can earn degrees and certificates in 10 different fields. Popular programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Health Professions and Related Programs, and Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians.

Tuition for Morgan Community College is $247.35 per credit hour.

Visit Morgan Community College

8. Otero College

Founded in 1941, Otero College is located on an attractive 40-acre campus on the southern edge of La Junta, Colorado. Otero College is proud of its reputation as one of the finest community colleges in the State of Colorado.

Our students can work in many of today’s high-demand careers, including fast-growing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers.

Otero is an accredited Hispanic Serving Institution and provides cutting-edge education that offers various two-year degrees, transfer degrees in preparation for four-year bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready certificates.

The school offers more than 50 academic programs and has about 1262 students.
Otero is one of the most affordable colleges in Colorado due to our per-credit tuition rates that align with other community colleges in Colorado and low student fees. In addition, it is a full-service campus that offers affordable on-campus student housing and dining accommodations.
Tuition for Otero College is $4,692 for residents and $7,823 for non-residents.

Community Colleges in Colorado – FAQs

Are Community Colleges in Colorado Expensive?

Colorado community colleges are not that expensive. The average tuition is approximately $3,768 per year for in-state students and $10,421 for out-of-state students. The average yearly tuition is roughly $17,287 for private community colleges.

How Many Community Colleges are in Colorado?

There are 13 community colleges in Colorado serving 113,000 students.

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