Six California community colleges ranked among top 20 in the U.S.

California is home to six of the top 20 community colleges in the U.S., according to a ranking by WalletHub.

The study analyzed data from 650 nationwide schools belonging to the American Association of Community Colleges . Seventy-seven of California's 116 community colleges were included in the ranking.

Researchers looked at 18 quality indicators, ranging from in-state tuition and fees to student-faculty ratios and graduation rates.

Irvine Valley College, No. 6; College of San Mateo, No. 9, Moreno Valley College, No. 12; De Anza College, No.13; Saddleback College, No. 14; and Santa Rosa Junior College, No. 16, were among the national top 20 list.

"A good community college minimizes costs for students while also providing an enriching learning experience that leads to high student retention and high graduation rates," WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe said.

"The best colleges also help their students even post-graduation by offering employment services to help them find jobs with good salaries," she added. "Finally, many of the best community colleges realize school isn’t the only place people learn, so they offer credit for life experiences."

What are the top 20 community colleges in the U.S.?

Low cost is one key advantage of community colleges.

During the 2023 to 2024 academic year, WalletHub found that full time enrollment at community college cost an average of $3,990 per year, compared to $11,260 at a public university and $41,540 at a private college.

"Community colleges also have a number of other attractive qualities," the report added. "They often provide flexible schedules, small class sizes and rigorous coursework. Some even go beyond two-year programs to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees."

What are the top 20 community colleges in California?

The California Community Colleges system was first established in 1967.

It currently has about 2 million students, representatives said.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Six California community colleges ranked among top 20 in the U.S.