Community Colleges in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city of firsts—first hospital, first library, first university—and today it remains a powerhouse for learning. Yet in a world where the cost of a four-year degree can feel out of reach, community colleges have become the practical on-ramp to opportunity. In and around Philly, these colleges deliver affordable tuition, small classes, flexible schedules, and programs built with local employers in mind. Whether you’re a high school grad looking for a smart start, a working adult aiming to reskill, or a parent returning to school, the Philadelphia region’s community colleges offer pathways that fit real life.

This guide walks you through why community colleges matter in Philadelphia, how to pick the right one, and a top-10 list of colleges in the city and greater metro that students actually attend—complete with locations, standout programs, and what makes each campus shine.

Why Choose a Community College in Philly?

1) Cost that makes sense
Community colleges keep tuition low and options high. Factor in in-district rates, payment plans, federal/state aid, and local scholarships, and you’ll often cover a semester for less than one month of tuition at many universities.

2) Flexible formats
Evening, weekend, hybrid, and accelerated courses make it possible to work, parent, or care for family while earning credits. Many programs start multiple times per year instead of just fall/spring.

3) Transfer-ready pathways
Most Philly-area community colleges have formal agreements with universities like Temple, Drexel, La Salle, West Chester, Penn State (various campuses), Villanova (select pathways), and New Jersey partners like Rowan and Rutgers. Plan well, and your associate credits plug directly into a bachelor’s.

4) Job-ready training
From nursing and radiography to cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, HVAC, early childhood education, culinary arts, and supply chain, programs are mapped to regional hiring needs—with externships, licensure prep, and industry certifications.

5) Support that sticks
Advising, tutoring, writing centers, math labs, veteran support, disability services, career coaching, and emergency grants help you stay on track. Many campuses also run food pantries, childcare referrals, and laptop loaners.

How to Pick the Right Philly-Area Community College

• Commute & schedule: Can you reliably get there by SEPTA, PATCO, or car? Are classes offered when you’re free?

• Program fit: Look for programs with clear outcomes—licensure pass rates, internship partners, and named transfer pathways.

• Cost & aid: Ask about in-district discounts, fee waivers, scholarships, and work-study.

• Student services: Strong advising and tutoring are not add-ons; they’re accelerators.

• Next step alignment: If you plan to transfer, confirm a two-year plan that locks in courses that will count toward your chosen major at your target university.

The Philadelphia Landscape: City + Metro Options

Philadelphia proper has one public community college—Community College of Philadelphia (CCP)—serving the city’s neighborhoods through its main campus and regional centers. Just beyond city limits, a ring of suburban Pennsylvania colleges (Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware County) and nearby South Jersey colleges (Camden, Burlington, Gloucester/Cumberland, Mercer) round out the choices many Philadelphians actually use. Together, these schools form a practical ecosystem within typical commuting distance.

Top 10 Community Colleges in and around Philadelphia

Ordered for geographic relevance and student demand. Each entry includes location, program highlights, and stand-out features.

1) Community College of Philadelphia (CCP)

Location: Center City Philadelphia (Spring Garden), with regional centers in Northeast, Northwest, and West Philadelphia
Why it stands out: CCP is the city’s anchor community college—deeply connected to Philly employers and universities.
Programs & strengths:

• Health & Public Service: Nursing, diagnostic medical imaging, behavioral health, respiratory care

• Business & Tech: Accounting, supply chain management, computer information systems, cybersecurity

• Creative & Liberal Arts: Digital video production, design, communication studies

• Apprenticeships & Workforce: IT support, biomedical equipment, advanced manufacturing
  Transfer pathways: Temple, Drexel, La Salle, Thomas Jefferson University (select health fields), West Chester, Penn State (multiple campuses)
  Good fit for: Students seeking city access, robust transfer options, and strong healthcare and IT pipelines.

2) Montgomery County Community College (MCCC)

Location: Blue Bell (Central Campus) & Pottstown (West Campus), PA
Why it stands out: Modern facilities, broad online catalog, and strong university partnerships.
Programs & strengths:

• STEM & Engineering: Pre-engineering, biotechnology, robotics/automation

• Health Sciences: Nursing, radiography, dental hygiene

• Creative Tech: Sound recording & music technology, digital design
  Transfer pathways: Temple, West Chester, Villanova (select agreements), Arcadia, Penn State Abington
  Good fit for: STEM-curious students and commuters from Northwest/North Philly and the western suburbs.

3) Bucks County Community College (Bucks)

Location: Newtown (main), with campuses in Bristol and Perkasie, PA
Why it stands out: Three-site coverage of lower and upper Bucks makes scheduling and commuting easier.
Programs & strengths:

• Business & Hospitality: Marketing, management, culinary arts

• Trades & Tech: Carpentry, metalwork, network administration

• Arts & Transfer: Studio arts, communication, liberal arts AA
  Transfer pathways: Temple, Penn State (various), West Chester, Kutztown
  Good fit for: Creative arts, hospitality, and trades students on the northeast side of the metro.

4) Delaware County Community College (DCCC)

Location: Media (Marple Campus) with additional sites across Delco & Chester County, PA
Why it stands out: A major workforce engine for Philly’s western collar counties.
Programs & strengths:

• Healthcare: Nursing, surgical technology, medical assisting

• Advanced Manufacturing & Skilled Trades: Welding, CNC, HVAC, electrical

• Business & Computing: Data analytics, information systems
  Transfer pathways: West Chester, Widener, Temple, Penn State Brandywine
  Good fit for: Hands-on learners seeking quick entry to high-demand roles or a smooth transfer west of the city.

5) Camden County College (CCC)

Location: Blackwood (main), plus Camden City and Cherry Hill, NJ (just across the river)
Why it stands out: Easy PATCO/river crossing access; strong affordability for South Jersey and Center City commuters.
Programs & strengths:

• Allied Health & Public Safety: Dental hygiene, sonography, EMT/paramedic

• Business & Info Tech: Accounting, computer science, cybersecurity

• Liberal Arts & Fine Arts: Art, music, communications
  Transfer pathways: Rowan, Rutgers–Camden, Temple (commuter transfers), Stockton
  Good fit for: Philly residents near the bridges and South Jersey students wanting solid transfer routes.

6) Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC)

Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Why it stands out: Co-located partnerships and 3+1 options with Rowan University keep bachelor’s costs low.
Programs & strengths:

• Logistics & Supply Chain, Business, Cybersecurity

• Health Sciences: Nursing/Allied Health pipelines

• Design & Digital Media
  Transfer pathways: Rowan (seamless), Rutgers (select), regional PA universities
  Good fit for: Students eyeing a budget-friendly path to a Rowan bachelor’s with minimal transfer friction.

7) Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) – Gloucester & Cumberland

Location: Sewell (Gloucester) and Vineland (Cumberland), NJ
Why it stands out: Two-county reach, strong nursing/allied health, and direct Rowan connections.
Programs & strengths:

• Health & Human Services: Nursing, imaging, behavioral health

• Skilled Trades & Manufacturing: Mechatronics, process tech

• Public Safety & Education: Criminal justice, teacher ed
  Transfer pathways: Rowan (primary), plus broader regional options
  Good fit for: South Jersey commuters and Philly-adjacent students prioritizing healthcare or trades.

8) Mercer County Community College (MCCC – NJ)

Location: West Windsor (main) and Trenton, NJ
Why it stands out: Creative arts and aviation technology alongside robust transfer options.
Programs & strengths:

• Aviation & Transportation Tech: Airframe/powerplant, aviation management

• Arts & Media: Digital media, photography, theater

• Business & IT: Analytics, cybersecurity, CS
  Transfer pathways: Rutgers, TCNJ, Rowan; cross-river transfers to Philly universities are common
  Good fit for: Students on the Trenton/NE corridor who split time between NJ and Philly.

9) Reading Area Community College (RACC)

Location: Reading, PA (Berks County)
Why it stands out: An accessible option for students in Philly’s outer northwest arc.
Programs & strengths:

• Health: Nursing, respiratory care

• Industry & Skilled Trades: Machining, electrical

• Business & Public Service: Paralegal, entrepreneurship
  Transfer pathways: Kutztown, Penn State Berks, West Chester; Philadelphia transfers feasible with planning
  Good fit for: Students on the fringe of the metro seeking smaller cohorts and focused supports.

10) Northampton Community College (NCC)

Location: Bethlehem and Tannersville (Monroe), PA
Why it stands out: Large program menu, award-winning culinary and hospitality, and strong online options.
Programs & strengths:

• Hospitality & Culinary Arts

• Healthcare & Human Services

• STEM & Advanced Manufacturing
  Transfer pathways: East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Temple (with advising), other state system schools
  Good fit for: Students willing to commute or take hybrid/online courses while living and working in the Philly orbit.

Note: The Philadelphia metro is unique: many students cross the river or county lines. “Best” is personal—choose based on your commute, program quality, and transfer goal, not just name recognition.

Popular Programs Across the Region (and What They Lead To)

• Nursing & Allied Health: RN, LPN, radiography, respiratory care, dental hygiene → hospitals, clinics, specialty practices; strong wage growth and clear licensure steps.

• Cybersecurity & IT: CompTIA-aligned certificates, networking, programming → help desk, SOC analyst, junior admin roles; stack credentials toward a BS.

• Advanced Manufacturing & Skilled Trades: Welding, machining, mechatronics, HVAC, electrical → union apprenticeships, plant roles, field tech jobs; earn while you learn.

• Business & Accounting: Bookkeeping, analytics, supply chain, entrepreneurship → entry roles in Philly’s logistics, finance, and retail sectors.

• Education & Human Services: Early childhood, special education para, social services → schools, nonprofits, casework; great stepping stone to a BA/BS.

• Culinary & Hospitality: Culinary arts, baking & pastry, hotel/restaurant management → Philly’s vibrant food scene, hotels, venues, and casinos (AC).

Admissions: What to Expect

1. Apply online (rolling admissions are common).

2. Placement via high school GPA, SAT/ACT (optional), or college-provided assessments.

3. Aid & scholarships: Submit FAFSA; ask about in-district rates, foundation scholarships, and payment plans.

4. Advising & degree plan: Map a two-year pathway—especially important if you plan to transfer.

5. Register & orient: Lock in classes early; attend orientation to learn tutoring/career resources.

Tip: Competitive programs (Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Sonography) often require prerequisites and selective entry—start with general education and advising right away.

Paying for It (Without the Panic)

• Federal/State Aid: Grants (don’t repay), loans (borrow smart), and work-study (on-campus jobs).

• Last-Dollar & Foundation Scholarships: Many colleges use donor funds to close small gaps after Pell/state grants.

• Employer Tuition Benefits: Health systems, logistics firms, and hospitality employers in the region often reimburse credits related to your job.

• Stackable Certificates: Earn a short-term credential (e.g., IT support, welding) first, get hired, then keep building toward the associate.

Smart Transfer Strategy (So Every Credit Counts)

• Pick a target major + university early. A psychology AA is not the same as a computer science AS.

• Use official transfer guides. Map 60–64 credits that land inside your future major—not just as electives.

• Mind the sequence. Calc I → Calc II → Data Structures is a very different path than statistics + gen eds.

• Lock it with advising. Meet each term; universities regularly update requirements.

• Finish the associate. Many transfer agreements give you better standing (and scholarships) with the degree in hand.

What Student Success Looks Like Here

• Smaller classes, more contact: It’s easier to speak up, get feedback, and build faculty relationships for recommendations.

• Built-in experiential learning: Clinicals, practicums, co-ops, and capstones translate directly to your résumé.

• Career services with real leads: Mock interviews, local job fairs, and employer spotlights pay off—especially in healthcare, IT, and trades.

• Belonging matters: Join a club, honor society, or affinity group; your network is part of your education.

Sample First-Year Plans (Illustrative)

Transfer-bound Business (AA):
Intro to Business • Microeconomics • Macroeconomics • College Writing I & II • Quantitative Reasoning or Calculus for Business • Public Speaking • Accounting I • Statistics • Humanities elective

Nursing hopeful (pre-req year):
Anatomy & Physiology I/II • Microbiology • Chemistry (as required) • College Writing • Intro Psychology • Human Development • Statistics • Nutrition (program-dependent)

Cybersecurity/IT (AAS/AS):
Intro to IT • Networking I/II • Linux Fundamentals • Scripting (Python) • Cybersecurity Fundamentals • Cloud Basics • Ethics • Math for Tech • English • Capstone/Internship

(Exact sequences vary—always follow your college’s advising map.)

Final Thoughts

Philadelphia’s community colleges are practical, proven, and powerful. They open doors for first-gen students, career changers, and anyone who needs college to fit around life—not the other way around. Inside city limits, the Community College of Philadelphia anchors a vast network of metro-area options that cross bridges and county lines, making it realistic to choose the right program, schedule, and price.

Pick a goal, meet with advising early, map your two-year plan, and use every support service offered. Whether you stop with a certificate, earn your associate, or transfer into a bachelor’s program at Temple, Drexel, West Chester, Rowan, Rutgers, or beyond, the Philadelphia region’s community colleges are ready to help you move—forward.

Quick List Recap (with Locations)

1. Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) — Philadelphia, PA

2. Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) — Blue Bell & Pottstown, PA

3. Bucks County Community College — Newtown, Bristol, Perkasie, PA

4. Delaware County Community College (DCCC) — Media (Marple) & sites across Delco/Chesco, PA

5. Camden County College — Blackwood, Camden City, Cherry Hill, NJ

6. Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) — Mount Laurel, NJ

7. Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) — Sewell (Gloucester) & Vineland (Cumberland), NJ

8. Mercer County Community College — West Windsor & Trenton, NJ

9. Reading Area Community College (RACC) — Reading, PA

10. Northampton Community College (NCC) — Bethlehem & Tannersville, PA

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