
Holyoke Community College, located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was founded in 1946 to provide educational opportunities to residents in its service area. The school offers an engaged staff and faculty that provides education and services to its students to ensure goals are met and that graduates are set along the road to their future. The school serves nearly 9000 students a year, providing them with programs, services and facilities that are constantly under review to ensure they meet the needs of the modern student.
Academics
Students enrolled at Holyoke Community College may choose from a large variety of programs aimed at meeting the needs of each student by providing career training and academic transfer opportunities. Career training programs are designed to provide students the skills and abilities to enter the workforce as professionals. Students will take a mixture of courses, depending on the program, that provide theoretical and practical application of the information provided. Students will be able to practice their skills in a controlled environment, earning experience that is invaluable when seeking employment. Programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or degree and allowing for the pursuit of entry level positions.
Academic transfer requires students to complete the first two years of a four year education at Holyoke Community College, followed by the application to a four year institution to complete the final two year and earn a bachelor's degree. Students wishing to transfer to a Massachusetts public institution will find that agreements in place with the school ease the process. Those students seeking our of state or private school admissions should meet with a counselor prior to their first semester in order to discuss those schools' admissions requirements and develop a curriculum that best fulfills them.
Programs offered:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Holyoke Community College is a public two year institution that maintains an open enrollment policy that allows any student that wishes to enroll to do so through by meeting the minimum requirements for admission, the submission of the application, and the payment of all fees including tuition. Students must supply previous transcripts if available and take a placement exam, which may be bypassed through the submission of previously taken standardized test scores. Students are also encouraged to participate in new student orientation and to meet with a counselor prior to registration to discuss program enrollment and develop a curriculum.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Individuals in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which will be used to determine a student's financial needs and aid program eligibility. Financial aid must be applied for prior to each academic year. Students receiving aid may be chosen at random to provide additional tax information to be compared to the information provided on one's FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $6,900. 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
- Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $3,900-$4,700
- Out-of-State: $8,900-$10,660
- Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $160-$200 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $370-$440 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 | 81% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 69% | $4,663 |
Receiving Student Loans | 30% | $3,763 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, Holyoke Community College may offer services to students including:
- Online classes
- Weekend and night classes available
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Student employment
- Assisting students to find work
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 Hampden County and the community colleges in Massachusetts as a whole.
Holyoke Community College | Hampden County | Massachusetts | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 15.9% | 18.3% | 16.5% |
Transfer-out Rate | 17.7% | 16.2% | 19.8% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Music Program
- Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation (since 1999)
- 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 1976)
- Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Massachusetts
- Radiology Technician Program
- Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 1970)
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Holyoke Community College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (A)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A)
- Bookkeeping (A, C)
- Human Resources (C)
- Administrative Assistant (A)
- Retailing and Retail Operations (A, C)
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (C)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications (A)
- Computer Networking (C)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (C)
Education
Engineering
- Engineering (A)
Engineering Technology
- Environmental Control Technologies (A)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care (A)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Medical Assistant (C)
- Medical Insurance Biller (C)
- Veterinary Assistant (A)
- Radiology Technician (A)
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling (C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (C)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (A)
Natural Resources and Conservation
Personal and Culinary Services
- Culinary Arts (C)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (A)
Public Administration and Social Services
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Sports Medicine (A, C)
- Sports Management (A)
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (A, C)
- Forensic Science (C)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (A)
- Music (A, C)
- Commercial and Advertising Art (C)
- Film, Video and Photographic Arts (C)
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Holyoke Community College.
- Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA (39 miles away)
- Columbia - Greene Community College in Hudson, NY (60 miles away)
- Ulster County Community College in Stone Ridge, NY (79 miles away)
- Roxbury Community College in Roxbury Crossing, MA (80 miles away)
- Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, NY (95 miles away)