I noticed that there’s sometimes posts from international students or their parents asking which community colleges in California are better. I’m hoping this could be a resource for them.
I chose Foothill College because it’s not my closest community college, but it’s a reasonable distance from my home and it is on the quarter system. It also is one of the schools that participates in UCLA’s TAP. It also is one of the community colleges where UC Irvine’s Honors to Honors Program is available. And it’s part of the HTCC (Honors Transfer Council of California), a consortium of over fifty community colleges in California.
After joining I learned that it also is one of the 45 community colleges affiliated with Berkeley’s TAP. It has high transfer rates, but isn’t a big community college like DeAnza, which is in the same district and has better transfer rates. Lastly, it’s beautiful. It regularly makes the list of most beautiful community college campuses in America, most scenic community colleges, etc.
It doesn’t have the views of College of San Mateo, which was closer, but it has gorgeous architecture which CSM lacked. And CSM is on the semester system, which I was trying to avoid. However, one thing I regret is that it’s not part of UC David’s Transfer Opportunity Program, unlike CSM.
Hey there, I’m an international student in CA. Even though I’m not currently enrolled in a community college, I did my research and chose Coastline Community College to take summer courses. They have a department to help international student and resources for visa applying, housing, insurance, etc. Another factor is that they provide online classes as well as in-person classes and especially the math course MATH C285 (Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equation) which is a math requirement for CS major at many schools, so it helps if you are a CS major. I’m not sure about the area (Orange County) because I’m taking the courses online but I think Asian students like it there. I hope this helps!
I wanted to make a list of the community colleges where it’s easier to compare them. It’s not perfect, but hopefully it helps.
Northern CA
AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 27%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCD TOP, UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCD
BUTTE COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 32%; Programs- UCD TOP; Most popular xfer- UCD
COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 25%; Programs- UCLA TAP, UCD TOP, UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCD
FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 18%; Most popular xfer- Tie (Unknown)
FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- UCD TOP, AvenueB, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCD
LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Most popular xfer- UCD
LASSEN COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Most popular xfer- UCB
MENDOCINO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 22%; Most popular xfer- UCD
NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 33%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCD
REDWOODS, COLLEGE OF THE: Graduation rate- 24%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors; Most popular xfer- UCSD
SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 21%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCD TOP, UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCD
SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 37%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCD
SHASTA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Most popular xfer- UCD
SIERRA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- UCD TOP; Most popular xfer- UCD
SISKIYOUS, COLLEGE OF THE: Graduation rate- 24%; Most popular xfer- UCD
SOLANO COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCD
WOODLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCD TOP, AvenueB; Most popular xfer- UCD
YUBA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCD TOP, AvenueB; Most popular xfer- UCD
Southern CA
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 33%; Most popular xfer- UCSB
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 18%; Programs- Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCI
BARSTOW COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 27%; Programs- Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCR
CERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCLA
CHAFFEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 25%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCR
COASTLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 21%; Programs- Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
COLLEGE OF THE DESERT: Graduation rate- 24%; Programs- Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCR
COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 23%; Most popular xfer- UCR
CRAFTON HILLS COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCR
CUESTA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 33%; Most popular xfer- UCSC
CUYAMACA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 30%; Programs- UCSD University Link; Most popular xfer- UCSD
CYPRESS COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 30%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
FULLERTON COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 31%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
GROSSMONT COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 29%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCSD University Link, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCSD
IMPERIAL VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 32%; Programs- UCSD University Link; Most popular xfer- UCSD
IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 46%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
MIRACOSTA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 30%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCSD University Link, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCSD
MOORPARK COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 38%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCSB
MORENO VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 19%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP; Most popular xfer- UCI
MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 37%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
MT. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 27%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars, UCR Smart Start Transfer Academy; Most popular xfer- UCR
NORCO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP; Most popular xfer- UCR
ORANGE COAST COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 41%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
OXNARD COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 29%; Programs- Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCD
PALOMAR COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 29%; Programs- UCSD University Link, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCSD
PORTERVILLE COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 24%; Programs- Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCLA
RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCR
SADDLEBACK COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 38%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCI
SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 18%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP; Most popular xfer- UCR
SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCSD University Link, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCSD
SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 24%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCSD University Link, UCB TAP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCSD
SAN DIEGO MIRAMAR COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 38%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCSD University Link; Most popular xfer- UCSD
SANTA ANA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 24%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, ADELANTE, Edison Scholars, UCI Summer Scholars Research Program, UCI Summer Scholars Transfer Institute, UCI Transfer Leadership Collaborative, UCI U-Link, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCI
SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 36%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCSB
SANTIAGO CANYON COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 42%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars, UCI Transfer Leadership Collaborative; Most popular xfer- UCI
SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 22%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCSD University Link, UCB TAP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCSD
TAFT COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 37%; Most popular xfer- UCD
VENTURA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 36%; Programs- Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCSB
VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCR
Central CA
CABRILLO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 30%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCSC
CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 29%; Most popular xfer- UCD
COLUMBIA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 25%; Most popular xfer- UCD
FRESNO CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Programs- California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCSC
GAVILAN COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 36%; Programs- UCSC TPP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCSC
HARTNELL COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 33%; Programs- UCSC TPP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCSC
MERCED COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 25%; Most popular xfer- UCM
MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 22%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors; Most popular xfer- UCD
MONTEREY PENINSULA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 30%; Programs- UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCSC
REEDLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP; Most popular xfer- UCLA
SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCD
SEQUOIAS, COLLEGE OF THE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCR
WEST HILLS COLLEGE COALINGA: Graduation rate- 35%; Most popular xfer- Tie (Unknown)
WEST HILLS COLLEGE LEMOORE: Graduation rate- 36%; Most popular xfer- Tie (Unknown)
Bay Area
BERKELEY CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 25%; Programs- UCB TAP, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCB
CAÑADA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 34%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCSC
CHABOT COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- UCB TAP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCB
CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO: Graduation rate- 38%; Programs- UCLA TAP, UCD TOP, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCB
COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA: Graduation rate- 22%; Programs- UCB TAP, AvenueE, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCD
COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO: Graduation rate- 42%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCD TOP, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCD
CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCD
DE ANZA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 65%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCSD
DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 46%; Programs- UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCB
EVERGREEN VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 32%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCD
FOOTHILL COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 63%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCB
LANEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCB
LAS POSITAS COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 38%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCD
LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 39%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, AvenueB, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCD
MARIN, COLLEGE OF: Graduation rate- 30%; Programs- UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCB
MERRITT COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 17%; Programs- UCB TAP, AvenueE; Most popular xfer- UCD
MISSION COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 20%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCD
OHLONE COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 44%; Programs- UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCD
SAN JOSE CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 32%; Programs- UCD TOP, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCB
SKYLINE COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCD TOP, UCB TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCD
WEST VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 36%; UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCSC TPP; Most popular xfer- UCSC
Los Angeles Area
ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCLA
CANYONS, COLLEGE OF THE: Graduation rate- 40%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCLA
CERRITOS COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 26%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCI
CITRUS COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 36%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- Tie (Unknown)
COMPTON COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 19%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, Edison Scholars, UCI Transfer Leadership Collaborative; Most popular xfer- UCR
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCI
EL CAMINO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 32%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCLA
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 32%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 18%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars, UCI Transfer Leadership Collaborative; Most popular xfer- UCI
LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 19%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LOS ANGELES HARBOR COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 27%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 17%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LOS ANGELES PIERCE COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LOS ANGELES SOUTHWEST COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 13%; Programs- UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECH.COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 27%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors; Most popular xfer- UCLA
LOS ANGELES VALLEY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 23%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP; Most popular xfer- UCLA
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 35%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- UCLA
RIO HONDO COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 18%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars, UCI Summer Scholars Transfer Institute, UCI Transfer Leadership Collaborative, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCLA
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 28%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, UCB TAP, Edison Scholars, California LAW; Most popular xfer- UCLA
WEST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE: Graduation rate- 18%; Programs- UCI Honors to Honors, UCLA TAP, Edison Scholars; Most popular xfer- Tie (Unknown)
If you have a specific major in mind, you can check https://www.assist.org to see which community colleges have the best coverage of major-prep courses for your major at various UCs and CSUs that you may target. Some community colleges target a nearby UC or CSU to match their courses to.
Also, note that different academic calendars (semester versus quarter) can affect alignment of courses. Most community colleges are on the semester system (De Anza, Foothill, and Lake Tahoe are on the quarter system), but most UCs are on the quarter system (Berkeley and Merced are on the semester system). Most CSUs are on the semester system.
Going from semester (15 weeks) to quarter (10 weeks) may require you to take an entire semester to cover a quarter course. Going from quarter to semester may require you to take two quarter courses to cover one semester course.
I wanted to share a link. If you are joining community college for the first time after attending high school in California, and are going to be a full time student, these are the California community colleges that allow you to apply online to have your tuition waived for up to two years: California College Promise Grant