Arapahoe Community College

About
Arapahoe Community College, located in Littleton, Colorado, was founded in 1965 to provide residents of the Denver area educational opportunities. When the school first opened it served 550 students, but over the years has grown in scope and focus, and currently serves over 18,000 students a year.

The school is dedicated to providing a quality education to its students, reviewing and updating programs, services and facilities to meet the needs of the modern student. Additionally, the school is one of six community colleges in the United States that participates in the Great Books Program, a curriculum that utilizes texts pulled from literature considered as part of the great books and providing students the opportunity to earn a certificate that is recognized by over 100 college and university admissions offices.

Academics
Arapahoe Community College offers over 100 programs of study, allowing students to choose one that best suits their academic or career goals. Academic programs encourage transfer to four year institutions by completing the freshman and sophomore years of a four year education at low cost, followed by transfer to a four year institution.

Transfer to public Colorado institutions are made easier through transfer agreements, but students may be pursue opportunities at out of state and private colleges. Due to varying admissions requirements,  students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to develop a curriculum that best fulfills the requirements of the student's desired school or school's.

Career programs provide the skills necessary to enter the workforce as a professional in a specific field. Such programs typically take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency in that area of study.

Graduates are encouraged to seek out work opportunities immediately after completion, having gained the experience and knowledge required through practical and classroom courses. These programs are designed to reflect the needs of the community which should facilitate the job search locally.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Automotive Technology
• Criminal Justice
• History
• Paramedicine

Admissions and Financial Aid
ACC is a two year open enrollment institution allowing individuals wishing to enroll to be admitted if they meet the minimum requirements for admission and submit an application for admission. Students are required to supply transcripts and standardized test scores, and may be required to take a placement exam, determining which general education classes they must enroll in. Students are encouraged to participate in orientation as well as meet with a counselor to discuss goals and curriculum. Registration for classes takes place prior to the start of each semester, with fees due shortly thereafter.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which is used to determine financial need, aid program eligibility, monetary awards and fee waivers. Students may also be eligible for state funding and aid programs if they are residents.

Additional financial documentation may be requested by the school to ensure that the information on the SAR is accurate prior to the disbursement of funds. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of the academic year.

Clubs and Organizations
ACC is home to a large number of school sponsored clubs and organizations that focus on a variety of interests, themes and topics. Students may choose to participate in one or more clubs, allowing for exchange of ideas and the development of interests as well as participating in events and meetings with fellow students to accomplish goals.

Students may develop a variety of skills useful in the workplace, such as leadership, socializing, punctuality and teamwork. Additionally, students may find themselves active in regards to social issues or the strengthening of cultural identities, which can be rewarding in its own right.

Clubs and organizations at ACC include:

• Clay Club
• Alchemy Society
• French Club
• O.G.R.E.
• Writer's Studio Club

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $10,000. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

• Annual tuition range:
  • State Residents: $3,100-$3,800
  • Out-of-State: $13,000-$15,420
• Part-time students are charged:
  • State Residents: $130-$160 per credit unit
  • Nonresidents: $540-$640 per credit unit

Financial Aid Details

The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.

	Percent of Students	Average Amount
Any Financial Aid	70%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	65%	$3,814
Receiving Student Loans	33%	$3,274

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To help support students, Arapahoe Community College may offer services to students including:

• Distance learning
• Classes offered on nights and weekends
• Remedial courses
• Career path counseling
• Work study style employment
• Employment search assistance
• Child care

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Many community colleges are not only a source of technical or career training but also a stepping stone for students to transfer-out to a 4-year college, therefore we have included both graduation and transfer rates below and how this school compares against other community colleges in Arapahoe County and the community colleges in Colorado as a whole.

	Arapahoe Community College	Arapahoe County	Colorado
Graduation Rate	17.9%	19.1%	24.9%
Transfer-out Rate	14.8%	11.9%	13.6%

Specialized Programs & Accreditations

• Funeral Service Education Program
  • Accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation (since 1997)
• Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
  • Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 2011)
  • See a list of all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Colorado

Other Community Colleges Nearby

The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Arapahoe Community College.

• Community College of Denver in Denver, CO (9 miles away)
• Community College of Aurora in Aurora, CO (14 miles away)
• Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (20 miles away)
• Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, CO (60 miles away)
• Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan, CO (80 miles away)