What is the cost of attending community college for 4 years?

I'm thinking about going to community college first before transferring to a four-year university. But I'm trying to get an idea of what the total cost might be if I spend my entire college career at a community college. Does anyone have experience with this or know how the expenses stack up over four years? I want to make sure I understand the financial commitment before making any decisions.

Though the cost of attending community college can greatly vary by state and specific institution, on average, tuition and fees for a full-time community college student in the U.S. were around $3,990 per year for the 2023-2024 academic year.

However, there's more to the total cost of attendance than just tuition and fees. You should also take into account the cost of books and supplies, which typically averages $1,000 per year. While off-campus living expenses can vary, the average is around $12,000 per year (which accounts for rent, utilities, meals and other household expenses). Transportation and personal expenses could add another $2,000 or so to your annual costs.

As a rough estimate, you might be looking at an all-in cost of about $20,000 per year if you include all these elements. Multiplied by four years, your total cost could be around $80,000. Keep in mind that financial aid and scholarships can significantly offset these costs. Also note that if you're planning to transfer to a four-year university, your costs could look different for the years you're there depending on the cost of tuition of the four-year school.

It’s important to remember these numbers are ballpark figures – your actual costs could be lower or higher. Check the website of the community college(s) you are considering or reach out to their financial aid offices for more specific information. They might also be able to give you a sense of what scholarship, grant, and work-study opportunities are available to help defray the cost.

One big thing to remember is that the most significant part of getting a degree is not necessarily where you start, but where you finish. I've heard from many students who say that starting at community college helped them save money, adjust to college-level work, and figure out their academic interests before transferring to a four-year institution.