Community Colleges in New York
New York is 27th largest state in the country by land size yet the 4th biggest state by population. The density, population base, and commitment to quality education helps vault the state to the top of the list for many students. The community college system in New York is one of the very strongest and most diverse in the entire nation. With over four dozen community colleges in New York to choose from, there is no limit on the types of programs you can study nor a ceiling on your achievements.
Top Degrees at New York State Community Colleges
Community colleges are state schools that primarily confer undergraduate certificate and undergraduate degrees. A handful of schools, however, are experimenting with conferring bachelor degrees although it is not a popular trend as of yet. Hallmarks of a community college are the diversity in academics, guaranteed acceptance policy, and affordable tuition. The degree programs you decide to pursue can span from direct-entry to general in nature. A general degree is typified by an Associate’s of Arts (AA) which provides a broad swath of courses intended to help develop integrative thinking skills and life skills to be carried forward after graduation. Direct-entry degrees and certificates are designed to help students efficiently learn a new skill or trade and step into the workforce after completion. Examples include cosmetology, welding, auto mechanics, esthetician, bookkeeping, court reporting, and diesel mechanics.Diversity of Community Colleges in New York
Top ranked community colleges in New York range in size from 2,000 to over 20,000 students across the state. A full list of accredited community colleges can be found below to help you narrow you’re your school choices in an efficient manger. The bulk of schools are clustered around the NYC metro area with schools peppered across the state to support students throughout the state.How to Find the Best Community College in New York
Invest in yourself and gather quality information that will help you find your perfect match today. Start by reading our acclaimed guides on university admissions and how to earn a seat in your top college choice. The foundational knowledge and confidence you will gain by outlining your priorities will surely make the process more direct and efficient than chasing every newspaper article or ranking list published. Analyze your likes, dislikes, strengths, and academic interests and get matched to a great school for you with MatchCollege.The following links may provide helpful information about community colleges in New York:
- City University of New York (Official Website)
- State University of New York System (Official Website)
Metro Area Links for Community Colleges in New York
- New York, Northern New Jersey, Long Island (23 Colleges)
- Buffalo, Niagara Falls (2 Colleges)
- Rochester (2 Colleges)
- Albany, Schenectady, Troy (2 Colleges)
- Utica, Rome (2 Colleges)
Community Colleges in New York, Northern New Jersey, Long Island
We have ranked the community colleges in the New York, Northern New Jersey, and Long Island area by the percent of students who either completed their degree or transferred to a 4-year institution. Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ ranked as the #1 community college in this area. Visit their official website at http://www.ocean.edu/
Ocean County College Highlights
- Serving students from Toms River and surrounding areas
- 47% of students either graduated or transferred to a 4-year college/university
- Tuition & fees are about $5,300 per year for state residents ($8,100 for out of state)
Top Community Colleges in New York, Northern New Jersey, and Long Island
Community Colleges in Buffalo, Niagara Falls
We have ranked the community colleges in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls area by the percent of students who either completed their degree or transferred to a 4-year institution. Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, NY ranked as the #1 community college in this area. Visit their official website at http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/
Niagara County Community College Highlights
- Serving students from Sanborn and surrounding areas
- 42% of students either graduated or transferred to a 4-year college/university
- Tuition & fees are about $4,600 per year for state residents ($10,800 for out of state)
Top Community Colleges in Buffalo and Niagara Falls
| Rate | Institution Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 42% | Niagara County Community College | Sanborn, NY |
| 36% | Erie Community College | Buffalo, NY |
Community Colleges in Rochester
We have ranked the community colleges in the Rochester area by the percent of students who either completed their degree or transferred to a 4-year institution. Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY ranked as the #1 community college in this area. Visit their official website at http://www.flcc.edu
Finger Lakes Community College Highlights
- Serving students from Canandaigua and surrounding areas
- 44% of students either graduated or transferred to a 4-year college/university
- Tuition & fees are about $4,900 per year for state residents ($9,300 for out of state)
Top Community Colleges in Rochester
| Rate | Institution Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 44% | Finger Lakes Community College | Canandaigua, NY |
| 43% | Monroe Community College | Rochester, NY |
Community Colleges in Albany, Schenectady, Troy
We have ranked the community colleges in the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy area by the percent of students who either completed their degree or transferred to a 4-year institution. Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY ranked as the #1 community college in this area. Visit their official website at http://www.hvcc.edu
Hudson Valley Community College Highlights
- Serving students from Troy and surrounding areas
- 39% of students either graduated or transferred to a 4-year college/university
- Tuition & fees are about $5,400 per year for state residents ($14,100 for out of state)
Top Community Colleges in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy
| Rate | Institution Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 39% | Hudson Valley Community College | Troy, NY |
| 28% | Schenectady County Community College | Schenectady, NY |
Community Colleges in Utica, Rome
We have ranked the community colleges in the Utica and Rome area by the percent of students who either completed their degree or transferred to a 4-year institution. Herkimer County Community College in Herkimer, NY ranked as the #1 community college in this area. Visit their official website at http://www.herkimer.edu/
Herkimer County Community College Highlights
- Serving students from Herkimer and surrounding areas
- 54% of students either graduated or transferred to a 4-year college/university
- Tuition & fees are about $4,800 per year for state residents ($8,000 for out of state)
Top Community Colleges in Utica and Rome
| Rate | Institution Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 54% | Herkimer County Community College | Herkimer, NY |
| 37% | Mohawk Valley Community College - Utica Branch | Utica, NY |
Other Community Colleges in New York
The table below lists all the other community colleges in New York that do not belong to any large metropolitan or urban concentrated area. The table also displays the "Rate" column, which is the percent of students completing course work.
| Rate | Institution Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51% | Sullivan County Community College | Loch Sheldrake, NY |
| 50% | Jamestown Community College | Jamestown, NY |
| 48% | Fulton - Montgomery Community College | Johnstown, NY |
| 45% | Tompkins Cortland Community College | Dryden, NY |
| 45% | Genesee Community College | Batavia, NY |
| 43% | Jefferson Community College | Watertown, NY |
| 41% | Ulster County Community College | Stone Ridge, NY |
| 41% | Cayuga County Community College | Auburn, NY |
| 41% | Columbia - Greene Community College | Hudson, NY |
| 38% | Broome Community College | Binghamton, NY |
| 36% | Clinton Community College | Plattsburgh, NY |
| 34% | Onondaga Community College | Syracuse, NY |
| 33% | North Country Community College | Saranac Lake, NY |
| 32% | Adirondack Community College | Queensbury, NY |
| 32% | Corning Community College | Corning, NY |
Notes: Tuition & fee amounts are for both New York in-state residents and out of state students, unless noted otherwise. The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.