National and State Data

There are nearly 1,200 community colleges, at least one in every state, and in 4 of the outlying territories of the United States. In the fall of 2003, more than 11.6 million students were taking classes in these colleges. This section will provide a basic overview of national and state data for community colleges.

National: 

1,157 community colleges

979 Public

148 Independent (for-profit and not-for-profit)

30 Tribally controlled colleges

Enrollment:

Fall 2003: 6.66 million credit students:

12.7% African American

6.2% Asian

14.2% Hispanic

1.3% Native American

58.6% White

1.5% Nonresident Alien

5.6% Unknown

5 million noncredit students

Average student age - 29 years

Students Receiving Financial Aid:

Any aid - 37.8%
Federal Grants - 17.2%
State aid - 10.2%
Federal loans - 7.0%

Percentage of Federal Financial Aid:

Pell Grants - 35.0%
Campus-based aid - 9.8%
Stafford Loans:
   subsidized - 5.4%
   unsubsidized - 4.4%

Tuition and Fees:
$2,076 average annual tuition at public community colleges

Degrees and Certificates Annually:
More than 490,000 associate degrees

Nearly 235,000 two-year certificates

State