Online Community College Guide

Updated on February 28, 2024

How They Work, Who Benefits Most & Tips for Success

What’s on this page

Community colleges have long been a more financially viable alternative to four-year colleges and universities. There were more than 5.7 million students enrolled in public two-year universities in 2016, the American Association of Community Colleges reports. And with the rise of the digital classroom, more and more students are opting to enroll in two-year community colleges to begin their academic journey.

Community colleges are a great place to test the academic waters and save money at the same time. This guide was created to help students learn more about the online community college experience, from tuition costs to insight on how online learning programs work. Students can use this guide to determine if enrolling in an online community college is the right fit for them.

7 Reasons to Choose Online Community College

There are many reasons why students choose community colleges over four-year universities, but cost savings definitely is a primary factor.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of full-time in-state tuition at public two-year colleges for the 2016-2017 academic year was just over $4,000. That compares favorably to average in-state tuition cost of $7,800 at public four-year colleges. Of course, tuition costs are much lower at certain institutions, and much higher at others.
For instance, tuition costs at Los Angeles Trade Technical College are an incredibly low $43 per unit. Average cost of tuition at all private, non-profit four-year universities, meanwhile, was $27,276 for the 2016-2017 school year. Students don’t have to mortgage their economic future with years of student loan debt for higher education when they enroll in community colleges.
Tuition rates at online community colleges varies by institution. Many online community colleges accept students at in-state tuition rates, meaning distance learners don’t pay steep out-of-state tuition rates. That’s the case at Waubonsee Community College in Aurora, Ill., which charges in-state students and distance learners the same fee of $126 per semester hour.
Other community colleges, meanwhile charge distance learners an “e-learning” rate, which is lower than out-of-state tuition but higher than in-state costs. For instance, in-state tuition at John Tyler Community College in Chester, Va. is $151 per credit hour. The college’s e-rate for out-of-state distance learners is $254 – which is 37 percent less than the cost out-of-state students who enroll in on-campus programs pay at $348 per credit. Distance learners often must pay modest technology and other additional fees that colleges use to enrich their online content and programming.
Community college is a great place for students to dip their toes into college waters in a more comfortable and relaxed setting – especially for those students who weren’t strong high school students. Class sizes are typically smaller, so students can expect greater interaction with and accessibility to their professors that can help them perform better in the classroom.
Students also can complete much of the required coursework for a bachelor’s degree at community colleges. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than 40 percent of students who earn baccalaureate degrees first earned associate degrees at community colleges. Community colleges typically have transfer agreements in place with various four-year institutions, so students who earn associate degrees can transfer as juniors and not have to repeat any general education coursework.
Distance education at online community colleges allows for a greater school-life balance since students can study when it’s most convenient for them. Community colleges often offer night and weekend classes to better accommodate busy student’s schedules, another layer of flexibility that leads to better school-life balance for community college students.

Brandy Scarnati, program director for Truckee Meadows Community College’s WebCollege in Reno, Nev., says flexibility is a prime consideration for students who enroll at online community colleges. “A lot of our students work full time and have family responsibilities, but also would like to attend college to better their education,” Scarnati says. “By being able to take online classes, students can set their own schedule and study when they find time. Students may be able to fit in more classes into their schedule than if they were on a campus due to less travel time and the flexibility of completing the course work at home.”

Who Benefits from Online Community College

Historically, community college students are a much more diverse demographic than the student bodies at four-year universities, and that holds true for distance learners as well.

Students at online community college typically fall into the following categories:

All of these student demographics can benefit from attending online community colleges.

Additionally, most community colleges have open admissions policies to help students easily begin their academic careers. This can be especially helpful for students who struggled in high school since they won’t need strong academic transcripts for admission like they would if they were applying at a competitive four-year university. Students also can benefit from taking classes part time so they can continue working full time to support themselves and their families.

Brandy Scarnati of TMCC in Reno says any prospective student can benefit from taking classes at an online community college. “Students take classes at a community college to receive their A.A. degree, which can be completed online,” she says. “Students also attend community colleges to gain the industry skills needed to receive a promotion or gain employment with a company. Students may also take online classes for personal knowledge and growth.”

How do Effective Online College Programs Work?

First and foremost, prospective online students should understand the nature of the digital classroom.

What it’s not

Picture boot-camp style training at a fitness facility. An instructor barks orders and instills motivation to help people get difficult work done. That’s not the case with online learning – there’s no formal classroom, so it can be easy to slack off on responsibilities since students don’t see instructors face-to-face. Students are responsible for self-motivation, and they can easily fall behind if they don’t establish a proper study habits.

What it is

A highly flexible learning environment that allows students to pursue higher education at their own pace. That said, time management and self-discipline are at a premium. Distance learners also must possess a modicum of technological savvy, since online courses require use of a digital content management system and communication tools such as email, chat and even video conferencing.

Here are several other important questions prospective distance learners often ask about online community college programs:

Online Class Formats

Colleges deliver online classes in a variety of formats through content management systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas or Desire2Learn. The formats mentioned below are the most common delivery options:

There’s no set formula for the way community colleges choose to deliver online content. Students should check with their prospective community colleges about online delivery options and content management platforms prior to registration to ensure classes are delivered in a format with which they are comfortable.

Transferring from an Online Community College to a 4-year School

Community colleges across the country help foster easy transition to four-year universities through transfer agreements with select four-year colleges and universities.

Online Community College Checklist for Students

Students who’ve made the decision to enroll in an online community college should follow these eight steps as a checklist for what’s needed to become a distance learner.

How to be Successful at Online Learning

Online learning is not for everyone. Following these five steps can help distance learners excel in the digital classroom.

Students need to be self-motivated and need good time management skills. Online classes are not typically self-paced. Students need to realize there will be assignment due dates that need to be followed. A myth is online classes are easier than traditional classes – this is not the case. In online classes students also have to complete interactive discussions and group projects. Students need to check into their online class frequently and participate in online classes in order to succeed.
Brandy Scarnati, Truckee Meadows Community College