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Best Community Colleges in St Louis: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

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GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 1, 2026

Compare 4+ St Louis community colleges with tuition, earnings, and transfer data.

Quick Answer

St Louis'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 St Louis?

St Louis'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 St Louis

St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis (Saint Louis)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 108 | 6-year earnings: $28,788

Skin Institute (Saint Louis)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 83 | 6-year earnings: $30,457

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Edwardsville)

Tuition: $12,922/year | Enrollment: 8,836 | 6-year earnings: $46,384

Nursing ADN graduates earn $165,748/year.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville)

Tuition: $3,870/year | Enrollment: 5,280 | 6-year earnings: $30,872

Nursing ADN graduates earn $61,309/year.

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How to Choose

PriorityBest Fit
Lowest tuitionSouthwestern Illinois College ($3,870/yr)
Best post-grad earningsSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville ($46,384 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 St Louis community colleges on GradeToGrad.

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