How much does two years of community college cost on average?

In 2021, the average total cost of community college ranged from $9,845 to $20,091 a year for in-state students living off campus without family. Over two years, that's up to $40,182. Because out-of-state students paid, on average, $4,851 more in tuition and fees than in-state students in 2021, the average total cost for two years of school for these students was about $49,884.

What is the average cost of books for community college students?

In 2021-2022, books and supplies cost students an average of $1,442. That includes textbooks, e-textbooks, and other course materials.

Is community college free anywhere?

Yes, there are free tuition programs for community college students in at least 31 states. Some states have eligibility requirements like minimum GPA, number of credit hours, or income restrictions.

How much has the cost of community college increased?

Today, the cost of community college is about 21 times greater than it was in 1970. In just the last 20 years, annual tuition costs at two-year public institutions have risen from $2,184 to $3,564.

How Much Does Community College Cost?

Updated on March 1, 2024

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• Fact-checked by Marley Rose

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Community college can cost an average of $20,091 a year for in-state students. Find tuition rates, financial aid, and tuition-free programs using our guide.

Black male community college student sitting at a desk in a classroom with other students. His arm is raised to answer a question from the professor off-screen.

Credit: Image Credit: Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Data Summary

In 2021-2022, the average total cost of attendance at two-year public institutions started at $9,845 a year for in-state students.^{Note Reference [1]}
Out-of-state students paid an average of $4,851 more than in-state students for tuition and other required fees at community colleges in 2022.^{Note Reference [2]}
Over the last 20 years, average tuition costs at community colleges have nearly tripled.^{Note Reference [3]}
Despite rising community college costs, 31 states offer some form of free community college.^{Note Reference [4]}
In 2021, roughly 81% of enrolled community college students were awarded some type of financial aid to pay for school.^{Note Reference [5]}
In 2022, about 43% of full-time community college students also were employed full or part time in the workforce.^{Note Reference [6]}

For those interested in earning a degree, community college is a significantly cheaper option than a public or private four-year institution. But even at community colleges, the cost of education is continuing to rise.

This report explores the average costs community college students can expect and what options they have to pay for that education.

Average Cost of Community College

As of the 2021-2022 academic year, the average total cost of community college in the U.S. ranged from $9,845-$20,091 for in-state students depending on their living arrangements, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).^{Note Reference [1]} Here’s what makes up that total cost:

The average tuition cost for in-state students as of 2022 was $3,564.^{Note Reference [3]}
The average cost of room and board was $8,055.^{Note Reference [3]} For students living off campus and not with family, room and board cost an average of $10,229.^{Note Reference [1]}
The average cost for books and other school supplies adds up to $1,442.^{Note Reference [1]}
Other costs to cover expenses like laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings amounted to $4,450.^{Note Reference [1]}
Commuter costs for community college students during the most recent academic year totaled $1,930.^{Note Reference [7]}

Cost of Community College Over Time

Between 2001 and 2022, the average tuition cost at two-year public institutions increased by about 63% to $3,564 a year. However, in the past five years, when accounting for inflation, tuition costs actually decreased by about 3%.^{Note Reference [3]}

Room and board costs also jumped during the same period at the small subset of two-year public institutions that offer on-campus housing. Between 2001 and 2022, the average cost of room and board more than doubled — from $5,947 in constant 2021-2022 dollars to $8,055 a year.^{Note Reference [3]}

Average Cost of Community College by State

California, New Mexico, and Arizona have the lowest in-state average costs for community colleges in the U.S. For out-of-state students, two-year public institutions in Nebraska, Kansas, and Arkansas have the lowest average costs. On average, out-of-state students paid $4,851 more in tuition and fees than in-state students during the 2021-2022 academic year.^{Note Reference [2]}

Average Tuition and Fees by State, 2021-2022

State⇅	In-State Tuition⇅	Out-of-State Tuition⇅
Alabama	$4,920	$9,647
Alaska	N/A	N/A
Arizona	$2,182	$7,333
Arkansas	$3,486	$4,882
California	$1,281	$8,936
Colorado	$3,329	$9,530
Connecticut	$4,538	$13,494
Delaware	N/A	N/A
District of Columbia	N/A	N/A
Florida	$2,506	$9,111

…

Free Community College by State

President Biden pushed to introduce widespread free community college tuition in his original Build Back Better plan in 2021. However, the initiative struggled to gain congressional support and was ultimately removed from the package by the end of the year.

Despite the loss of this initiative, at least 31 states already offer some form of free community college tuition, either with eligibility requirements or certain limitations, according to the Campaign for Free College Tuition.^{Note Reference [4]}

Table: Free Community College by State

State⇅	Program Status⇅
Alabama	No statewide free college tuition program that meets the Campaign for Free College Tuition recognition criteria
Alaska	No statewide free college tuition program that meets the Campaign for Free College Tuition recognition criteria
Arizona	No statewide free college tuition program that meets the Campaign for Free College Tuition recognition criteria
Arkansas	State-sponsored free college tuition program with income, merit, geographical or programmatic limitations
California	State-sponsored free college tuition program with income, merit, geographical or programmatic limitations
Colorado	State-sponsored free college tuition program with income, merit, geographical or programmatic limitations
Connecticut	Statewide free college tuition program enacted with few eligibility limits
Delaware	Statewide free college tuition program enacted with few eligibility limits
Florida	No statewide free college tuition program that meets the Campaign for Free College Tuition recognition criteria
Georgia	State-sponsored free college tuition program with income, merit, geographical or programmatic limitations

…

How Students Pay for Community College

Many community college students utilize financial aid and work full or part time to pay for their education.

In 2020-2021, 80.6% of students enrolled at two-year public institutions received some type of financial aid to attend school.^{Note Reference [5]} Aid was received in the form of federal, state, or institutional grants and/or student loans.

60.5% of students who were awarded financial aid in 2020-2021 received it through federal grants.
The average amount of federal grant aid awarded to community college students during the 2020-2021 academic year was $4,993.
Students were awarded, on average, $2,550 in state/local grants and $2,256 in institutional grants.
The average amount in student loans offered to learners was $5,049. This only includes loans made directly to students, meaning Parent PLUS loans or other loans made to parents were excluded.
Just 15.4% of community college students were awarded federal student loans.

In 2022, 42.7% of full-time and 79.2% of part-time community college students were also employed full or part time in the workforce.^{Note Reference [6]}

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Community College

In 2021, the average total cost of community college ranged from $9,845 to $20,091 a year for in-state students living off campus without family. Over two years, that’s up to $40,182.^{Note Reference [1]}

Because out-of-state students paid, on average, $4,851 more in tuition and fees than in-state students in 2021^{Note Reference [2]}, the average total cost for two years of school for these students was about $49,884.