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Best Community Colleges in San Francisco: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

January 23, 2026

Compare 10+ San Francisco community colleges with tuition, earnings, and transfer data.

Why Community College in San Francisco?

San Francisco's community colleges offer an affordable entry point to higher education, with tuition well below four-year university rates. Strong transfer agreements with state universities mean you can start at a CC and finish your bachelor's degree at a fraction of the cost.

Community Colleges in San Francisco

City College of San Francisco (San Francisco)

Tuition: $1,696/year | Enrollment: 16,060 | 6-year earnings: $34,896

Nursing ADN graduates earn $103,265/year.

Chabot College (Hayward)

Tuition: $1,150/year | Enrollment: 10,861 | 6-year earnings: $40,674

Nursing ADN graduates earn $96,258/year.

Evergreen Valley College (San Jose)

Tuition: $1,366/year | Enrollment: 7,670 | 6-year earnings: $39,807

Nursing ADN graduates earn $83,906/year.

College of San Mateo (San Mateo)

Tuition: $1,332/year | Enrollment: 7,359 | 6-year earnings: $43,803

Nursing ADN graduates earn $98,961/year.

Laney College (Oakland)

Tuition: $1,148/year | Enrollment: 7,158 | 6-year earnings: $30,777

San Jose City College (San Jose)

Tuition: $1,366/year | Enrollment: 7,039 | 6-year earnings: $39,993

Ohlone College (Fremont)

Tuition: $1,202/year | Enrollment: 6,958 | 6-year earnings: $45,622

Mission College (Santa Clara)

Tuition: $1,438/year | Enrollment: 5,557 | 6-year earnings: $44,004

How to Choose

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest tuition	Laney College ($1,148/yr)
Best post-grad earnings	Ohlone College ($45,622 at 6yrs)

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year) often exceed full community college tuition. Check your state's grant and scholarship programs — many states offer free or reduced CC tuition for qualifying residents.

Next Steps

Compare San Francisco community colleges on GradeToGrad.