Best Community Colleges in Texas 2024

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The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Texas offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges in Texas

Sort by:
  1. Lone Star College System
  2. Collin College
  3. Blinn College
  4. San Jacinto College
  5. San Antonio College
  6. Weatherford College
  7. Navarro College
  8. Angelina College
  9. Lee College
  10. Kilgore College
  1. Lone Star College System
  2. Collin College
  3. San Jacinto College
  4. Blinn College
  5. Navarro College
  6. San Antonio College
  7. Angelina College
  8. Odessa College
  9. Tarrant County College
  10. Galveston College
    1. Blinn College 36 to 1
    2. Paris Junior College 25 to 1
    3. San Antonio College 24 to 1
    4. Collin College 23 to 1
    5. San Jacinto College 23 to 1
    6. Navarro College 22 to 1
    7. El Paso Community College 22 to 1
    8. Lone Star College System 21 to 1
    9. Odessa College 21 to 1
    10. Western Texas College 20 to 1
    1. San Antonio College $6,450
    2. Weatherford College $5,100
    3. Lone Star College System $4,800
    4. McLennan Community College $3,720
    5. Ranger College $3,600
    6. Central Texas College $3,570
    7. Blinn College $3,510
    8. Tarrant County College $3,402
    9. Angelina College $3,300
    10. San Jacinto College $3,240
      1. Odessa College
      2. Austin Community College District
      3. Western Texas College
      4. North Central Texas College
      5. McLennan Community College
      6. El Paso Community College
      7. Temple College
      8. Paris Junior College
      9. Ranger College
      10. Del Mar College
      1. Western Texas College
      2. Ranger College
      3. Victoria College
      4. Weatherford College
      5. Austin Community College District
      6. Paris Junior College
      7. Del Mar College
      8. El Paso Community College
      9. College of the Mainland
      10. Wharton County Junior College
        1. Alvin Community College 12 to 1
        2. Galveston College 14 to 1
        3. Angelina College 14 to 1
        4. Central Texas College 14 to 1
        5. Victoria College 14 to 1
        6. McLennan Community College 14 to 1
        7. Del Mar College 14 to 1
        8. Lee College 15 to 1
        9. Weatherford College 16 to 1
        10. College of the Mainland 16 to 1
        1. Wharton County Junior College $768
        2. Amarillo College $1,128
        3. Navarro College $1,620
        4. Temple College $1,848
        5. Galveston College $2,010
        6. Austin Community College District $2,010
        7. Del Mar College $2,070
        8. Alvin Community College $2,256
        9. Victoria College $2,520
        10. College of the Mainland $2,550

          Key Takeaways

          • Texas has an amazing lineup of community colleges. Many students in this state prefer to study on this path to achieve their desired careers. The community college system of Texas currently serves more than 720,000 students.
          • Not everyone knows how great community colleges are when transitioning from college to work. Students can earn their short-term educational certificate or associate degree in just two years.
          • Texas has partnered with different companies and businesses to provide students an instant route toward professional jobs (entry-level).

          Community Colleges: Producing The Most Educated and Skilled Texans

          In Texas, community colleges offer two-year associate degrees in high-demand areas like education and training, business administration, science and technology, and healthcare.

          Texas also offers unique educational initiatives like development education, adult education and literacy programs, dual credit, and other short-term programs and guided pathways, all leading to entry-level professional jobs.

          Because Texas has so many four-year colleges and universities, why do many students still prefer to attend a community college? What advantages and benefits do students get from enrolling in a two-year degree program?

          The Benefits of Attending a Community College

          Two-year community colleges provide an efficient alternative to conventional four-year colleges and universities. Many community colleges provide flexibility regarding the content and structure of the course schedule.

          This is a great advantage for non-traditional students working in full or part-time positions and traditional enrollees seeking post-secondary education. Consider the benefits of enrolling in a community college to assess if this is the right educational path for you.

          Cost of Tuition: Community colleges have lower tuition costs than traditional four-year colleges or universities. A lot of these types of colleges have reduced rates for in-state students, which results in a more affordable post-secondary education program. Some community colleges also offer reduced-cost certification programs compared to two-year and four-year degree programs.

          Great Financial Aid Options: Aside from the low tuition costs, community colleges have financial aid incentives for eligible students who need help paying for their college tuition. Some aid also covers the cost of materials and even housing and transportation. Students can apply, too, for student loan programs, special grant programs, and academic transfer programs that usually come with lower interest rates than the usual student loans.

          Greater Flexibility: When you attend a community college, you can explore higher education at your own pace. This is specifically true for those who are not yet sure what they want to major in or those who believe college is not even an affordable choice for them.

          Many junior colleges also offer part-time academic coursework to allow students to attend their college classes a few days each week while still working a full-time or part-time job.

          The flexibility offered at a community college also provides a better school-life balance. Students get the chance to build their schedules around their personal lives, resulting in a healthier life balance.

          Trade and Vocational Focus: Most, if not all, community colleges offer vocational training programs on top of their associate degree programs. Students who want to pursue trades in health care, technology, engineering, and other vocations, can enroll in specifically designed courses that prepare them for a career.

          Most of these vocational courses include programs where they can earn professional certifications in a shorter time than the established four-year degrees.

          STEM Education Opportunities

          Community colleges offer STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) associate degree programs that will lead to careers in-demand by many employers. With a solid ground on STEM subjects, you can solve problems, conduct research, or develop new ideas seamlessly.

          Earning a two-year associate degree will help you get started quickly in your STEM-related career. Many junior colleges partner with local businesses and industries to promote job placement with your new degree. This makes it easier for you to secure a job after completing your associate’s degree program.

          Ability to Transfer Credits

          While community colleges do not offer four-year degree programs, they have admissions agreements with state and public colleges that allow students to transfer their credits if they want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

          Provided that the students meet the school’s requirements, they can transfer to a university or college of their choice to complete their bachelor’s program after they earn their two-year associate’s degree at a community college.

          Colleges and Universities in Texas

          Texas offers more than 30 colleges and universities that serve communities of 10,000 students or more. The largest school in the bunch (and in the nation), Texas A&M University in College Station serves more than 65,000 students. The University of Texas at Austin is the next largest, serving about 45,000 students - but it too has a big claim to fame, as the wealthiest public university in the United States. Texas’s private colleges and universities, including Baylor University and Southern Methodist University, are also impressive in size and scope. The majority of these schools have religious affiliations and offer degrees in a variety fields, such as nursing, religious studies, criminal justice, business, and education.

          Find college admissions consultants in your state.

          For students who prefer a more intimate educational environment, Texas offers a long list of smaller public and private colleges and universities, such as Abilene Christian University and University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Additionally, Texas has generous loan forgiveness programs for qualifying nurses, physicians, teachers, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers who work in the Texas Attorney General’s office.

          Texas is known for doing things big. Big cities, big open spaces and, of course, big fun. Whether you’re hitting up the live music scene in Austin, catching a Cowboys game in Dallas, or strolling down the River Walk in San Antonio, you’re sure to have a good time. And, with more than 150 higher education institutes, it’s safe to say The Lone Star State is big on education too.

          If you’re looking to earn your degree in the state of Texas, you’ll have plenty of higher learning institutes to choose from.


          What are Texas’s Colleges & Universities?

          Texas’s Best Overall

          Texas's Best Community Colleges Badge
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          We’ve identified 53 community colleges in Texas. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Texas.

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          Best Community Colleges in Texas

          1. #2

            Collin College

            McKinney , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            16%

            Student body

            50K

            Career Outlook for degree at Collin College

            Cost of Degree: $3,514
            Expenses: $17,584
            Starting Salary: $41,600
            Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Collin College known for?

            Collin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          2. #4

            Blinn College

            Brenham , TX
            Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            11%

            Student body

            29K

            Career Outlook for degree at Blinn College

            Cost of Degree: $6,230
            Expenses: $15,032
            Starting Salary: $44,500
            Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
          3. #5

            San Jacinto College

            Pasadena , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            32%

            Student body

            42K

            Career Outlook for degree at San Jacinto College

            Cost of Degree: $3,240
            Starting Salary: $42,600
            What is San Jacinto College known for?

            San Jacinto College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          4. #6

            San Antonio College

            San Antonio , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            29K

            Career Outlook for degree at San Antonio College

            Cost of Degree: $6,742
            Starting Salary: $36,000
            What is San Antonio College known for?

            San Antonio College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          5. #7

            Weatherford College

            Weatherford , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            19%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for degree at Weatherford College

            Cost of Degree: $6,300
            Expenses: $12,045
            Starting Salary: $36,400
            Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Weatherford College known for?

            Weatherford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          6. #9

            Angelina College

            Lufkin , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            14%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for degree at Angelina College

            Cost of Degree: $4,740
            Expenses: $14,821
            Starting Salary: $35,500
            Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Angelina College known for?

            Angelina College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          7. #10

            Lee College

            Baytown , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            44%

            Student body

            10K

            Career Outlook for degree at Lee College

            Cost of Degree: $3,882
            Starting Salary: $43,100
            What is Lee College known for?

            Lee College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          8. #11

            Kilgore College

            Kilgore , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            32%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for degree at Kilgore College

            Cost of Degree: $4,056
            Expenses: $15,318
            Starting Salary: $34,400
            Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Kilgore College known for?

            Kilgore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          9. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            17%

            Student body

            73K

            Career Outlook for degree at Houston Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,344
            Starting Salary: $39,300
            What is Houston Community College known for?

            Houston Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          10. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            24%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for degree at Alvin Community College

            Cost of Degree: $2,834
            Starting Salary: $42,000
            What is Alvin Community College known for?

            Alvin Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          11. #14

            College of the Mainland

            Texas City , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            28%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for degree at College of the Mainland

            Cost of Degree: $2,973
            Starting Salary: $38,100
            What is College of the Mainland known for?

            College of the Mainland’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          12. #15

            Tarrant County College

            Fort Worth , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            20%

            Student body

            72K

            Career Outlook for degree at Tarrant County College

            Cost of Degree: $3,402
            Starting Salary: $38,200
            What is Tarrant County College known for?

            Tarrant County College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          13. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            20%

            Student body

            9K

            Career Outlook for degree at Wharton County Junior College

            Cost of Degree: $3,804
            Expenses: $10,087
            Starting Salary: $42,900
            Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Wharton County Junior College known for?

            Wharton County Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          14. #18

            Amarillo College

            Amarillo , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            28%

            Student body

            12K

            Career Outlook for degree at Amarillo College

            Cost of Degree: $3,168
            Starting Salary: $36,800
            What is Amarillo College known for?

            Amarillo College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          15. #19

            Galveston College

            Galveston , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            41%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Galveston College

            Cost of Degree: $3,266
            Expenses: $14,183
            Starting Salary: $40,100
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Galveston College known for?

            Galveston College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          16. #20

            Victoria College

            Victoria , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            21%

            Student body

            4K

            Career Outlook for degree at Victoria College

            Cost of Degree: $4,056
            Starting Salary: $40,600
            What is Victoria College known for?

            Victoria College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          17. #21

            Del Mar College

            Corpus Christi , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            13%

            Student body

            15K

            Career Outlook for degree at Del Mar College

            Cost of Degree: $4,880
            Starting Salary: $38,000
            What is Del Mar College known for?

            Del Mar College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          18. #22

            Ranger College

            Ranger , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            35%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Ranger College

            Cost of Degree: $6,250
            Expenses: $10,334
            Starting Salary: $33,800
            Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Ranger College known for?

            Ranger College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          19. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            34%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for degree at Paris Junior College

            Cost of Degree: $4,020
            Expenses: $12,304
            Starting Salary: $31,100
            Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Paris Junior College known for?

            Paris Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          20. #24

            Temple College

            Temple , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            15%

            Student body

            8K

            Career Outlook for degree at Temple College

            Cost of Degree: $4,656
            Starting Salary: $37,600
            What is Temple College known for?

            Temple College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          21. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            21%

            Student body

            34K

            Career Outlook for degree at El Paso Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,274
            Starting Salary: $31,700
            What is El Paso Community College known for?

            El Paso Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          22. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            12K

            Career Outlook for degree at McLennan Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,200
            Starting Salary: $34,400
            What is McLennan Community College known for?

            McLennan Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          23. #27

            North Central Texas College

            Gainesville , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            21%

            Student body

            13K

            Career Outlook for degree at North Central Texas College

            Cost of Degree: $4,680
            Expenses: $10,045
            Starting Salary: $37,600
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is North Central Texas College known for?

            North Central Texas College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          24. #28

            Western Texas College

            Snyder , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            49%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Western Texas College

            Cost of Degree: $4,500
            Expenses: $10,423
            Starting Salary: $38,800
            Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Western Texas College known for?

            Western Texas College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          25. Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $9K

            Graduation

            9%

            Student body

            61K

            Career Outlook for degree at Austin Community College District

            Cost of Degree: $8,580
            Starting Salary: $40,300
            What is Austin Community College District known for?

            Austin Community College District’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          26. #30

            Odessa College

            Odessa , TX

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            10K

            Career Outlook for degree at Odessa College

            Cost of Degree: $3,672
            Expenses: $10,278
            Starting Salary: $43,400
            Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Odessa College known for?

            Odessa College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          2021 Ranking Archive

          Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

          1. Lamar Institute of Technology
          2. Lamar State College–Port Arthur
          3. Trinity Valley Community College
          4. Galveston College
          5. Paris Junior College
          6. Northeast Texas Community College
          7. Navarro College
          8. Panola College
          9. Grayson College
          10. Kilgore College
          11. Lee College
          12. College of the Mainland
          13. Ranger College
          14. Collin College
          15. Texarkana College
          16. Amarillo College
          17. Austin Community College District
          18. Odessa College
          19. Del Mar College
          20. San Antonio College
          21. El Paso Community College
          22. Central Texas College
          23. St. Philip's College
          24. Palo Alto College
          25. Hill College
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