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Most affordable community colleges in California
100 community colleges in California report net price data, ranging from $1,398 at the lowest to higher costs at more selective schools. The median net price across these is $7,926. California's community colleges run a bit higher than the national average for the kind. The list below shows the most affordable options, ranked by net price.
Median net price in California
$7,926
National median for community colleges
$6,359
community colleges reporting in California
100
The most affordable community colleges in California, ranked by net price
What makes a school affordable here
In California, the most affordable community colleges share two things in common. First, low published net prices reflect both reasonable sticker prices and meaningful institutional or state aid. Second, a high share of students receive grant aid. At College of the Sequoias, the most affordable on this list, 80% of students receive grant aid. Net price reflects what a typical family actually pays, not the sticker price you see at first glance. A school with a $50,000 sticker price and a $10,000 net price is more affordable for most families than a school with a $20,000 sticker and a $19,000 net price.
Affordable colleges in California, other types
Affordable community colleges in other states
Find your personalized cost
National rankings use publicly available federal cost data. Plug in your actual aid offer and family situation for a Worth-It Score that reflects your specific picture.
Affordability rankings use publicly available federal higher-ed cost data. Net price reflects the average cost a family pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from total cost of attendance, for the 2022-23 reporting year. See full methodology →