Overview of Online Community Colleges in California
California has the largest higher education system in the nation, with 73 districts and 116 community colleges serving nearly two million students. The Los Angeles Community College district alone is the largest in the country with nine colleges, and the biggest campus by enrollment is East Los Angeles College. Cumulatively, California community colleges offer over 10,000 online courses, 90 fully online associate degree programs, and 80 fully online certificate programs.
California community colleges offer over 10,000 online courses, 90 fully online associate degree programs, and 80 fully online certificate programs.
Many of California's community college students pursue associate degrees to enter the workforce or transfer to four-year universities. Approximately half of community college students enroll in the California State University system and nearly a third transfer to the University of California system. Nationwide, popular associate degree disciplines include liberal arts, healthcare, business, interdisciplinary studies, social science, and the performing and visual arts, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Students can also earn certificates of achievement through the California Virtual Campus program in such areas as public safety, cybersecurity, creative writing, graphic design, and accounting.
View our comprehensive list of the best online community colleges and learn more about the online learning experience.
Cost of Online Community Colleges in California
California has the lowest community college tuition rate in the U.S. As of the 2021-22 school year, in-state tuition averaged $1,430, compared to $3,800 nationally and as much as $8,600 in Vermont. In addition, a 30% boost in funding per full-time enrolled student since 2009 may have been a contributing factor to college affordability in California. As a result, students in California may also carry less student loan debt than students in other states.
California has the lowest community college tuition rate in the U.S.
Tuition for online programs is also generally cheaper than those on campus. Some schools waive campus fees or charge flat tuition rates regardless of state residency for online students. There are also other ways to help mitigate higher education expenses in California. High school students may opt to dual enroll in a community college program, so classes count towards high school diplomas and college credits, potentially saving time and money. Military veterans may use their GI Bill® benefits to help pay for school, while others may work for employers who provide tuition assistance to their staff. Applying for private scholarships can also reduce the expense of distance education.
Financial Aid for Community College Students in California
Many students rely on financial aid to attend college. The first step to determine eligibility for federal assistance is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may be eligible for federal grants, scholarships, or may qualify for work-study programs or low-interest federal student loans.
The state awards the highest amount of financial aid in the nation with an average of $1,751 spent per undergraduate student.
California lawmakers have also worked to establish several state financial aid programs to help increase higher education accessibility and affordability. The state awards the highest amount of financial aid in the nation with an average of $1,751 spent per undergraduate student, and approximately 47% of community college students do not pay fees.
California College Promise Grant
Established by AB-19, the CCPG allows for waiving enrollment fees for some students with low income. A total of $46 per unit may be waived.
California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment
The CCCSE provides more than 3,000 scholarships each year. Students must also qualify for the CCPG to be eligible, must have financial need, be enrolled in college at least part-time, and have completed a minimum of 24 degree-applicable units to apply. Awards are $600 per semester for a total of $1,200 per year and students can opt to renew their awards up to $3,600 over three years.
California Dream Act
Undocumented and non-resident students may qualify for financial aid by completing a California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Qualified students may receive state financial aid, scholarships through California colleges and universities, Cal Grants, and fee waivers through the CCPG. Amounts vary.
Cal Grant Program
There are three types of grants in the Cal Grant program. Grant A is for high school and college students interested in attending four-year universities, Grant B is for students interested in attending community college, and Grant C is for students interested in technical or occupational programs. Awards vary from $1,094 to $12,570 and do not have to be paid back.
California Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ,California's unemployment rate was 6.5% as of December 2021. While this was higher than the 3.9% national average during that time, it has been steadily declining since the highs of 2020. Employment projections in general are high for the following sectors through 2030:
Leisure and hospitality
Health care and social assistance
Professional and business services
A recent survey shows that California's cost of living is significantly higher than the national average. The cost of living index measures how far income goes to pay for living expenses such as food, housing, transportation, and healthcare. California's overall cost of living index is at 150 compared to 100 for the U.S. Housing costs alone are indexed at 239. As a result, students may seek higher education to increase their salary potential to make ends meet.
The California Community Colleges notes that for every dollar spent on education, students could potentially see a $5 increase in future earnings and that those with an associate degree could earn $11,000 more per year than those who only have a high school diploma.
Careers for California Community College Graduates
Major employers in California cover many industries, including government, healthcare, high tech, education, semiconductor devices, and film and television. These employers include NASA, Kaiser Permanente, Google, the University of California-Los Angeles, Intel, and Sony Pictures.
Based on the most current data provided by the BLS and its partner site O*NET Online, the following occupations requiring a minimum of an associate degree expect to see some of the highest job growth:
Medical sonographers operate scanning equipment to examine patients. They check for image quality, patient comfort, and provide physicians with oral and written summaries of findings.
Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by organizing and maintaining records, conducting research, and drafting legal documents. These professionals may also file legal documents with the court or the opposing attorney in a case.
Radiologic technologists and technicians perform CAT scans and X-rays while monitoring patients' safety. Technicians may also inject nonradioactive materials into a patient's bloodstream for diagnostic purposes.
Respiratory therapists help care for patients with chronic breathing issues, such as COPD, emphysema, or asthma. These therapists may also monitor a patient's progress and consult with physicians, administer treatments, or perform diagnostic tests.
Web developers and digital designers create and maintain websites. They measure a site's performance and capacity, create content, and test a site for the quality of user interface and experience.
