2023 Best Community Colleges in California

• Los Altos Hills, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  496 reviews

Junior: I have been at Foothill for almost three years now and throughout these past years I feel like I am very satisfied with my education here. To begin, the professors show that they care for their students by being flexible to meet with students one on one and they are very big on advocating for diversity within their classrooms. In every class I have taken, the professors make it a point to emphasize the importance of valuing everyone in the class. Most importantly, the professors provide students with the information of almost every resource that is available to us such as tutoring, mental health services , and financial aid resources. What I also really love about the school is the campus. The style of the campus gives me an old town vibe and I completely fell in love with it. There are so many trees and open space so it is possible to study or do homework at the tables that are spread out in the quad. Overall, this school is a good choice to keep in mind!... Read 496 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,752

• SAT range —

• Santa Barbara, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,003 reviews

Sophomore: Santa Barbara City College is an excellent school. The classes are engaging and the professors are especially helpful. I have loved all of my classes and professors. There are a variety of interesting courses and programs. The school offers something for everyone. SBCC is a great place to start your college education. In addition, the campus is absolutely gorgeous located right by the ocean!... Read 1,003 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,147

• SAT range —

• Livermore, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  593 reviews

Freshman: If you're considering attending a 2-year college after high school, I would definitely look into Las Positas. To begin, the campus is beautiful, as it's clean, tranquil, spacious, and near facilities for different needs. The environment presents itself to be healthy due to the fact that most professors at this campus are caring, very patient, and passionate about helping students. Besides the professors and staff playing an important role in the atmosphere of the community at Las Positas, there are countless opportunities offered and several different types of benefits. LPC's own mini-mart was made public on campus for students who can't struggle to pay for necessary things. How amazing is that! Besides this, there is always some time of even going on that helps students on their paths to success one way or another. Las Positas is a gateway to bettering your future, especially if you plan on transferring to a 4 year!... Read 593 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,456

• SAT range —

• South Lake Tahoe, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  68 reviews

Freshman: I love attending Lake Tahoe Community College! There is so much to do around Lake Tahoe wether that is outdoor adventures, going to school events, or finding new and fun places to eat. I wish the fires weren't so close to Tahoe, so I can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Absolutely love LTCC.... Read 68 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,136

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,002 reviews

Junior: City College of San Francisco was such a grounding and fulfilling experience as a community college student. I enjoyed every course taken because of the in-depth teaching and open-mindedness of professors. Growing up in the Bay Area, it was very comforting to know that there are educators out there who are willing to go above and beyond for their students as well as the institution itself that is close to home. Much heart, passion, and hard work has gone into CCSF, and I hope the administration is able to continue working with such great faculty in the future. I will always remember and cherish my time at City!... Read 1,002 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,648

• SAT range —

• Santa Maria, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  738 reviews

Junior: It's a very good campus. The large majority of both staff and alumni are very kind, and overall creates a friendly vibe throughout the whole campus. Most professors have an energy of wanting to be there and are usually accepting of most life situations pertaining individuals, where they work with you to figure out better scheduling or advice. Being an Art major, the community is relaxed and easy to talk to, as long as you put in the effort. The professors have the energy and passion to educated and help throughout the art process and give a lot of freedom for individuality, as art should have. They have a vast amount of knowledge and advice for students on the transfer program, or simply the art enthusiast that really helps for the exploration of owns art projects. Overall a fine campus.... Read 738 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,520

• SAT range —

• Walnut, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  1,892 reviews

Freshman: This is one of the best California community college, has a vast and diverse range of classes, excellent professors and facilities, friendly staff, renovated business and computer classrooms, seamless online classes, and cozy campus atmosphere. Mt. Sac definitely shows for being rated as a top community college. Upon first arrival I was impressed with how lovely and amicable all the staff, counselors, and professors were. With great classes, support, and experienced professors you are sure to be able to transition to a 4-year university transfer well!... Read 1,892 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,297

• SAT range —

• San Mateo, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  470 reviews

Freshman: College of San Mateo does an excellent job encouraging students with their educational plan( whether transferring to a UC or CSU, or just guide them to help receive an AA) and career goals. The staff and faculty communicate well with students here on campus and are personally invested in helping make sure that students time at CSM has a purpose. As an ambassador who works for the campus, it's great to see students and faculty enjoying coming to work and school everyday. The campus is also very beautiful and has a great location, it is about 30 minutes away from the coast and about 45 minutes away from San Francisco. This is an amazing community college that students should defiantly attend!... Read 470 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,150

• SAT range —

• Pasadena, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,751 reviews

Sophomore: The staff and counselors are extremely friendly. They all share one common goal, and that is to see the students succeed. The course rigor will prepare you for transfer and you will meet like minded peers. There is a honors program that will prepare you for transfer, it will also expose you to many careers along with research opportunities. The clubs here are great for all sorts of careers. The location is perfect, there are great boba spots and restaurants near by. By participating in many clubs, you will get to work alongside students from California Institute of Technology. The professors are very nice and understanding, if you struggle with a class there are ample of opportunities to get help from professor or tutoring services provided by PCC. During the pandemic, the school helped many students with financial aid, they provided me with a laptop to keep, gas money, grocery money, and free food at pantry. Overall, my experience would be a 10/10!... Read 1,751 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,465

• SAT range —

• San Luis Obispo, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  560 reviews

Sophomore: Cuesta was a great starting experience right out of high school to get a taste of college level courses, student life, and campus. Staff and faculty were great and always helpful, and there are plentiful resources aiding admissions, financial aid in AND out of school, job opportunities, career development and more. The current Cuesta website, as well as MyCuesta and Canvas, can all use some updates regarding contact information and site navigation, but once you get rolling it’s easy as pie. I’m an Art Major but it’s simple to change your major, navigate classes, review professors, and get in touch with counselors. I had to take many general education classes in the beginning as I was pursuing an AA degree, but I easily withdrew to only take art classes for a certificate instead. Great and easy! Also, a wonderful campus (SLO) with dozens of student life and event opportunities.... Read 560 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $13,928

• SAT range —

• Fremont, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  437 reviews

Freshman: I'm only a freshman but so far, all of the staff members are excellent! They all try their best to help you achieve your goals and work with you to help you become your best self. The counseling department of the campus is also very helpful, and they do a fantastic job at helping you plan your next few years at Ohlone so you can attain the credits and degree that you may need for your career goal. This school is a very transfer friendly school and I've heard many great things from transfer alums that are now studying at four years universities.... Read 437 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $13,221

• SAT range —

• Santa Rosa, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1,296 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at the Santa Rosa Junior College was great! I spent three years here and the staff was amazing. Everyone was so kind and willing to help. I received assistance from the Disability center and they did a great job of accommodating me. The professors were also very inclusive and took my accommodations seriously. The financial aid office also provided me with a lot of support during COVID, which was amazing. The transfer center provided me with much-needed guidance when I was applying to transfer. My counselor Robbin went above and beyond to assist me!... Read 1,296 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,844

• SAT range —

• Redwood City, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  249 reviews

Sophomore: Going into my second year, I can confidently say that the professors and counselors here are rooting for your success. Of course, Professor quality can vary but I’ve found that ratemyprofessors is very accurate and helpful in picking the best classes. Do not sign up for a class without vetting your professor first!! The school has lots of accommodations too, so if you’re disabled or have mental health issues or are an ESL student, there are lots of opportunities for you to succeed. The campus is very clean and well maintained. There are lots of areas to sit and relax, and the way the school is laid out is intuitive and clear. I haven’t tried the food in the cafeteria but there are vending machines and the bookstore for small snacks.... Read 249 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,062

• SAT range —

• Oceanside, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  903 reviews

Alum: Miracosta has a lot to offer for students of many backgrounds. Their Arts and Music programs are excellent, with a wonderful faculty to help you through your academic journey. They offer a wide array of classes and associates degree options, which they lay out for you carefully using the Surf interface. I went to the school before, during and after quarantine, so I believe I got a good idea of what they had to offer and their professionalism. Their curriculum was rough at the beginning of quarantine, but which school didn't struggle then?They recovered and found a way to adapt their programs, so now they offer a very thorough approach to online schooling as well as in person. The infrastructure and buildings feel good and have nice quality to them. Their equipment for their Music Department is professional grade, everything from their speakers to their recording studio. A hidden gem of an institution. I highly recommend Miracosta for anyone looking to transfer after!... Read 903 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,995

• SAT range —

• Orange, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  366 reviews

Alum: The overall way the campus is set up and run is great. I enjoyed my classes here, and I had great professors! The classes are good quality for the most part, especially if you are going for general education. One downside is that they don't offer as many options for majors as other colleges do. Lots of clubs and activities happening here on a regular basis! The campus itself is pretty small, but the area is nice. It's usually a pretty safe place to be, even at night. Being a two year school, there isn't a lot of student housing or apartments nearby, which can make commutes a little difficult. Overall a great place to get started with school if you don't know where to go!... Read 366 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,344

• SAT range —

• Santa Monica, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  2,098 reviews

Freshman: I am currently a on campus Santa Monica College student. The energy on campus is very positive along with friendly students. The campus is also very diverse wit both students and teachers! There are a lot of food and drink choices all over the campus as well! The patio area near the cafe has a vast amount of tables and seating areas. Most of the class rooms look new and updated with both the buildings structure and the technology. The school also offers a large variety of different classes and the class options are very flexible to complicated schedules. Santa Monica College also offers a significant amount of extra help for students with learning disabilities. Most of the staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. There are also many clubs, fairs, and events on the Santa Monica campus. I personally believe that Santa Monica College is one of the best community college options available in California.... Read 2,098 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,625

• SAT range —

• Moorpark, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  1,167 reviews

Graduate Student: It was a great stepping stone for someone in my position. I had to work part-time and even full-time throughout my education experience post high school. I also didn't know what exactly I wanted to major in as I had a variety of personal passions. I was able to attend a great community college with amazing faculty, decent sized classes and well-cared for grounds in a positive environment whilst figuring it out. I was able to leave Moorpark debt-free, degree under belt, and maturity and wisdom to continue on in my educational pursuits. I now know for certain what direction I'm headed in academically and have had ample opportunity to financially prepare for the university of my choosing. I am glad I had such a well-cared for community at Moorpark College while I transitioned from dependent high schooler to an independent young adult advancing in her educational and career choices.... Read 1,167 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,703

• SAT range —

• Santa Clara, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  361 reviews

Junior: Mission College is a great community college. I have attended this college for 3 years 2019-2021 and will be attending the 2022 spring semester. Like any organization mission college has its greats and not so greats. A lot of the professors are amazing but there are some that will really make your life hard but fortunately you can look out for these through reviews. The academics are amazing, I have learned a lot here that I can apply to real life and the tutoring (free) really helps out much to understand and apply my studies in real life. There is a lot of diversity and you'll be seeing people from so many places on earth on the campus. I would say that the Atheletics are decent, the coaches are nice but there are not too many sports.When considering the campus and safety, there is a police station on campus so I feel very safe, along with that the campus is incredibly scenic with lots of lawns and gardens and amazing buildings, the Camus Cafe is what makes the place great too.... Read 361 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,036

• SAT range —

• Cupertino, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  1,153 reviews

Graduate Student: Attending De Anza College was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. I applied and started at 18 and graduated at 20 with an associate's degree. The vast opportunities that the school offers helped guide me to finding my future career path as well as aided in my ability to connect and network with experienced and likeminded individuals. In times of confusion and uncertainty, I was given the reassurance and support from their academic and counseling staff members. I also attended in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic and felt that De Anza was able to handle and adjust to all the unforeseen changes that came with the pandemic. I recommend any student to attend De Anza, whether it be to obtain their AA/AS/certificate or even just fulfilling certain college class requirements, this school provides so much to many different students and their academic needs.... Read 1,153 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,685

• SAT range —

• Saratoga, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  506 reviews

Sophomore: My experience so far at west valley has been really great. I've taken lots of asynchronous, synchronous, and in-person classes. Many professors at this school are very understanding and want to support you in every way they can. West valley also has amazing counselors that are so helpful when it comes to meeting transfer or graduation requirements. For any students considering going to a community college in the San Jose area, I would recommend West Valley!... Read 506 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,541

• SAT range —

• San Bruno, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  485 reviews

Junior: From my experience with being enrolled in a class at Skyline College, as a high school junior, has been very rewarding! The teacher that taught me an Early Childhood Education class was so sweet and kind. She encouraged us to think outside the box and encouraged our learning to go to another level.... Read 485 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,680

• SAT range —

• Norwalk, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,301 reviews

Junior: During my tenure at Cerritos, I encountered a considerable sense of monotony and repetitiveness in the academic sphere. However, I utilized the school's diverse range of courses to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of my personal and professional aspirations. The atmosphere surrounding the school was exceedingly convivial and inclusive, with students exhibiting a willingness to offer guidance and assistance upon request. Nonetheless, one particular aspect that warrants improvement pertains to the dissemination of pertinent information to the student body. On numerous occasions, I remained unaware of significant events until the eleventh hour, preventing me from adequately accommodating them into my schedule. Consequently, I suggest a revamp of the notification system to facilitate timely communication of vital information, enabling students to plan effectively and maximize their participation in such events.... Read 1,301 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,514

• SAT range —

• Mission Viejo, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  1,261 reviews

Sophomore: Saddleback College is a great community college to attend, though it should be noted that the on-campus experience (clubs, etc.) has been hampered by COVID-19 and vaccine mandates. I drive 20 minutes to come here as opposed to attending my local school because I find that professors are consistently more flexible, people are more interesting, and their music program is the best of its kind. I'm a CDE Major, and the only thing I can say is that I wish more CDE classes were offered in-person instead of online. Online classes tend to be just an amalgamation of PDFs and internet videos, so no real learning is accomplished. Lastly, I'd like to point out that their DSPS department is super helpful: I absolutely love my counselor; she helps me with all aspects of school and life. My advice to the Saddleback student would be to seek learning opportunities (work, volunteering) outside of school because you probably won't get it here due to COVID.... Read 1,261 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,867

• SAT range —

• Glendale, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  661 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Glendale Community College has been so beneficial towards my future in such a short amount of time so far. I am currently in the middle of my freshman year taking general education courses towards my future major; and must I say, GCC has a variety of courses to offer. The teaching styles are very diverse and open to your type of learning styles whether it is in-person, online, or hybrid. The coordination between professors and students is phenomenal. The professors at GCC devote their time to help share their love, intelligence, and passion to their students to help guide for their own future. Not only are the teaching styles adjustable to every one, the programs GCC provides for further help or learning opportunities are prominent. Besides the academic environment, GCC is located in a safe area with a beautiful campus! The campus is experiencing new renovations which is allowing to bring the campus back to life! Overall, GCC has been an exceptional opportunity!... Read 661 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,727

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  937 reviews

Sophomore: San Diego Mesa College is a great way to start college, they offer a transfer option which gives you time to think about what University you'd like to apply to in the near future. The staff helps you with anything and everything. Walk you through applying for financial aid, your classes, etc. The teachers are also great, very understanding, and helpful. Overall the school environment is very positive and great! Around the campus, they have many places you can go to do your work, or relax. The book store is also a great place and inexpensive it is located near the students classes.... Read 937 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,617

• SAT range —