The Most Affordable Community Colleges In Every State In 2024

Caitlyn Moorhead

5 June 2024 at 8:28 am·8-min read

One of the biggest personal finance decisions in the United States for young people or those seeking to further their education comes down to which college or university to attend.

Though many students think higher learning in the education system only includes a four-year state school, community colleges continue to be a pivotal option for those seeking quality education at an affordable price. These institutions offer educational programs, from associate degrees to vocational training, often at a fraction of the cost of larger universities.

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The community college system offers numerous advantages, making it an appealing option for many state students. Here are some key benefits:

Community college costs and affordability: Community college students generally have lower tuition rates compared to what they’d pay at a four-year college or institution, making higher education accessible to a broader population. This affordability helps reduce the student debt burden many are hit with straight out of high school.
Flexible Scheduling: Like junior colleges, many of these public institutions offer flexible scheduling options, including night, weekend, and online classes, accommodating students who have work or family commitments.
Smaller Class Sizes: Community colleges often have smaller classes, more personalized attention and instructor support.
Transfer Opportunities: Many programs have articulation agreements with four-year universities, making it easier for students to transfer credits and continue their education towards a bachelor’s degree once they complete a few cheaper years at community colleges.
Career-Oriented Training: These institutions often focus on practical, career-oriented training, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce in fields such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. Technical college programs offer a fast track toward higher-paying jobs.

These community colleges offer students in each state the opportunity to pursue higher education without the burden of excessive debt or having to pay back exorbitant student loan interest.

By providing quality education at an affordable price, they play a crucial role in making higher education accessible to all. Whether you want to earn an associate degree, gain vocational skills, or transfer to a four-year university, these institutions provide a solid foundation for your educational and career aspirations.

GOBankingRates conducted a study to determine the most affordable community college in each state. Here are some interesting findings:

Of the most affordable schools, Alaska has the most expensive community college with Ilisagvik College having a total cost of $21,790.
California has the cheapest option in Antelope Valley Community College District at $2,024

Here’s a look at the best financial option in every state this year, providing students with budget-friendly opportunities for higher education.

Deatsville, Alabama

Most affordable community college: J.F. Ingram State Technical College
Total cost: $5,370

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Barrow, Alaska

Most affordable community college: Ilisagvik College
Total cost: $21,790

Kingman, Arizona

Most affordable community college: Mohave Community College
Total cost: $2,856

Newport, Arkansas

Most affordable community college: Arkansas State University-Newport
Total cost: $3,500

Lancaster, California

Most affordable community college: Antelope Valley Community College District
Total cost: $2,024

Greeley, Colorado

Most affordable community college: Aims Community College
Total cost: $4,442

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Eduard Figueres / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Norwalk, Connecticut

Most affordable community college: Norwalk Community College
Total cost: $5,972

Dover, Delaware

Most affordable community college: Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
Total cost: $6,545

Tallahassee, Florida

Most affordable community college: Tallahassee Community College
Total cost: $2,826

Waycross, Georgia

Most affordable community college: Coastal Pines Technical College
Total cost: $3,309

Honolulu, Hawaii

Most affordable community college: Honolulu Community College
Total cost: $4,524

Nampa, Idaho

Most affordable community college: College of Western Idaho
Total cost: $5,911

Ina, Illinois

Most affordable community college: Rend Lake College
Total cost: $6,850

Indianapolis, Indiana

Most affordable community college: Ivy Tech Community College
Total cost: $5,571

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Most affordable community college: Kirkwood Community College
Total cost: $6,700

Overland Park, Kansas

Most affordable community college: Johnson County Community College
Total cost: $4,344

Ashland, Kentucky

Most affordable community college: Ashland Community and Technical College
Total cost: $5,712

Alexandria, Louisiana

Most affordable community college: Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Total cost: $5,319

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Fairfield, Maine

Most affordable community college: Kennebec Valley Community College
Total cost: $5,087

Baltimore, Maryland

Most affordable community college: Baltimore City Community College
Total cost: $5,814

Danvers, Massachusetts

Most affordable community college: North Shore Community College
Total cost: $6,552

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Most affordable community college: Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
Total cost: $3,410

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Cass Lake, Minnesota

Most affordable community college: Leech Lake Tribal College
Total cost: $5,618

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Most affordable community college: Coahoma Community College
Total cost: $10,673

Cottleville, Missouri

Most affordable community college: St. Charles Community College
Total cost: $5,444

Poplar, Montana

Most affordable community college: Fort Peck Community College
Total cost: $2,950

Macy, Nebraska

Most affordable community college: Nebraska Indian Community College
Total cost: $4,080

Reno, Nevada

Most affordable community college: Truckee Meadows Community College
Total cost: $3,762

Claremont, New Hampshire

Most affordable community college: River Valley Community College
Total cost: $8,340

Blackwood, New Jersey

Most affordable community college: Camden County College
Total cost: $5,544

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Clovis, New Mexico

Most affordable community college: Clovis Community College
Total cost: $2,336

New York City, New York

Most affordable community college: CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
Total cost: $6,534

SDI Productions / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Williamston, North Carolina

Most affordable community college: Martin Community College
Total cost: $3,015

Fort Totten, North Dakota

Most affordable community college: Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Total cost: $5,350

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Kirtland, Ohio

Most affordable community college: Lakeland Community College
Total cost: $5,277

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Most affordable community college: Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
Total cost: $5,219

Tillamook, Oregon

Most affordable community college: Tillamook Bay Community College
Total cost: $5,682

Warren, Pennsylvania

Most affordable community college: Northern Pennsylvania Regional College
Total cost: $5,550

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Warwick, Rhode Island

Most affordable community college: Community College of Rhode Island
Total cost: $6,550

Kingstree, South Carolina

Most affordable community college: Williamsburg Technical College
Total cost: $5,800

Mitchell, South Dakota

Most affordable community college: Mitchell Technical College
Total cost: $8,224

Nashville, Tennessee

Most affordable community college: Nashville State Community College
Total cost: $5,672

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Port Arthur, Texas

Most affordable community college: Lamar State College-Port Arthur
Total cost: $3,270

Salt Lake City, Utah

Most affordable community college: Salt Lake Community College
Total cost: $4,957

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Montpelier, Vermont

Most affordable community college: Community College of Vermont
Total cost: $7,920

Melfa, Virginia

Most affordable community college: Eastern Shore Community College
Total cost: $5,900

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Bellingham, Washington

Most affordable community college: Bellingham Technical College
Total cost: $4,797

DavidByronKeener / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wheeling, West Virginia

Most affordable community college: West Virginia Northern Community College
Total cost: $5,529

Wausau, Wisconsin

Most affordable community college: Northcentral Technical College
Total cost: $5,778

Casper, Wyoming

Most affordable community college: Casper College
Total cost: $15,868

For the methodology of this study, GOBankingRates analyzed colleges from around the country to find community colleges and their associated costs. Using the college data from the Institute of Education Science National Center for Education Statistics’ Summary Tables and filtering to only show colleges that are public schools, award bachelor and associate degrees, and award associate degrees or lower certificates at least 50% of the time, resulting in 980 community colleges. Using the colleges and their costs, the cheapest total cost for community colleges in each state was recorded. For each college, a number of costs were recorded including; room & board, tuition & fees, books & supplies, other expenses, and the total cost. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 23rd, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Most Affordable Community Colleges In Every State In 2024

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