Community colleges continue to offer the lowest average tuition and fees compared to all other sectors of higher education.
For the 2019-20 academic year, average annual tuition and fees at community colleges was $3,730, compared to $10,440 average annual tuition and fees at public four-year institutions.
The relatively low price of attendance at community colleges provides access to postsecondary education to many low-income individuals who attend community colleges in their local communities. In the COVID-19 environment, lower tuition at community colleges may be particularly appealing to students who would otherwise take classes online at a four-year institution and for displaced workers looking for a cost-effective way to up-skill in order to re-enter the job market.
