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.
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.
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
You might also like
Best Nursing Schools in San Francisco: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
Community College: Your Smart Start to a Four-Year Degree
Community College: Smart Start, Big Savings, Smooth Transfer
Community College: Your Smart Start to a 4-Year Degree & Beyond
Smart Money: How 2+2 Saves Tens of Thousands on College
Not sure which path is right? Compare colleges and trade schools near you with real salary data.
Try the Calculator →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.