Most Affordable Online Community Colleges

Going to college for the first time or returning to school after a pause poses many challenges. Fortunately, online colleges can offer you a convenient solution at an affordable price.

The cheapest online community colleges let you earn an associate degree without debt. The information on this page can help you find the right school at the right price, know what to expect with online learning, and answer your questions about distance education. Check out what it offers to start your education journey on the right foot.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The typical in-district community college students paid $3,598 in tuition and fees during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). NCES figures also show that online learners saved thousands of dollars on their education by not paying for on-campus room and board. These financial benefits make online learning an attractive option for college applicants deciding between in-person and online education.

The cheapest online community colleges charge the lowest tuition rate to in-district residents. A district may consist of a county or other defined geographic area. Out-of-district degree-seekers may pay the out-of-state tuition rate.

Although the cheapest online community colleges can reduce your cost of attendance, you must still budget for technology, fees, and commuting to any in-person requirements. You can pay less for college textbooks by buying them used and reselling them at the end of the semester.

The cheapest online community colleges offer different associate degrees, such as the associate for transfer. These degrees prepare you to transfer to a bachelor’s-completion program with general education classes in the natural sciences, arts, and social sciences. You can also start your major at community college before finishing it at a four-year school.

The online learning experience varies by school. An asynchronous curriculum lets you view lectures and complete coursework at convenient times, making it a great choice for people needing work-life balance. Synchronous programs require set class meeting times you attend with a webcam and microphone.

Consider programs’ in-person requirements before applying to the cheapest online community colleges. Typical healthcare programs feature labs, practicums, and other in-person experiences. You must schedule your responsibilities around these requirements.

A two-year degree from one of the cheapest online community colleges can prepare you for a high-paying career. Many of these jobs exist in the healthcare and information technology fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects moderate-to-strong growth for many of these professions.

You can increase your salary potential even if your degree does not align with one of the careers in the table below. The latest BLS data shows that professionals with an associate degree make about $150 more weekly than their peers with only a high school diploma. College graduates also experience unemployment at a much lower rate.