In 2019-20, average published tuition and fees for in-district students at public two-year colleges range from $1,430 in California and $1,860 in New Mexico to $7,100 in New Hampshire and $8,210 in Vermont.
Key Points
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In eight states, average tuition and fees at public two-year colleges fell in inflation-adjusted dollars between 2014-15 and 2019-20. In four of these states (Minnesota, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin), the 2019-20 price remains above the national average.
- In six states, average tuition and fees at public two-year colleges increased by 15% or more in inflation-adjusted dollars between 2014-15 and 2019-20. In Mississippi and Nevada, despite 22% price increases (compared with the national average of 5%), the average 2019-20 price is below the national average.
Figure 5: Average 2019-20 In-District Tuition and Fees at Public Two-Year Institutions by State and Five-Year Percentage Change in Inflation-Adjusted Tuition and Fees
NOTES: Alaska is not included in Figure 5 because it does not have a separate community college system.
SOURCES: College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges; NCES, IPEDS Fall 2017 Enrollment data.
Also Important
- California enrolled 19% of the nation’s full-time public two-year students in fall 2017.
- In 2019-20, average public two-year tuition and fees did not increase in nine states; the price rose by more than $200 in six states.
- Figure 5 does not reflect “free” community college programs, which generally provide aid to students, rather than eliminating the tuition price.