Colorado’s largest
higher education system
higher education system
Facts & Figures
CCCS Statutory Mission
- Open Access – We admit anyone who wants to attend college and re-imagine a more prosperous future. Our colleges are “student-ready” – providing support services and pathways for all types of learners to earn a credential, degree, or transfer to a four year college. CCCS is the largest system of higher education in the state, serving approximately 113,000 students in academic year 2021.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) – In academic year 2021, over 24,000 CTE certificates and degrees were awarded to post-secondary students at our 13 colleges and secondary students. 37,000 post-secondary students were enrolled in CTE programs at our colleges. The total number of secondary students enrolled in high school CTE programs was approximately 171,000.
- Transfer – For academic year 2021, over 17,000 of our students transferred to public and private four-year colleges and universities.
- Workforce Development – As of academic year 2021, over 450 customized trainings for 4,000+ new and incumbent workers were implemented. Each year, CCCS’s Skill Advance Colorado Program - in partnership with OEDIT, saves businesses $4 million in employee training costs.
- Concurrent Enrollment – In academic year 2021, CCCS colleges served 33,112 high school students in undergraduate courses, creating pathways from high school into higher education. A total of 2,644 college credentials were awarded to concurrent enrollment students in high school, saving students and their families $39 million in college tuition costs.
- Bachelor's Degrees – CCCS colleges offer Bachelor's degrees in a growing number of specific disciplines designed to enhance graduates’ employment opportunities.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)- Cannabis Science and Operations
- Dental Hygiene
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Advanced Paramedic Practitioner
- Emergency Service Administration
- Geospatial Science
- Healthcare Information
- Radiologic Technology
- Respiratory Therapy
- Secure Software Development
- Water Quality Management
- Master’s Degree – Through Red Rocks Community College’s Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), CCCS is the only community college system in the United States to offer a master’s degree.
CCCS STUDENT INFORMATION
- CCCS serves over 113,000 undergraduate students through 13 colleges. In addition, we train more than 4,000 Coloradans each year through various other programs, making us the largest higher education system in the state.
- CCCS full-time-equivalent student enrollment was 45,070 in FY 2020-21.
- We serve 41% of all undergraduate Students of Color in higher education in Colorado.
- Across the CCCS: 38% of our students are Students of Color; 58% of our students are female; and, 59% of our students are under 25 years old.
- Colorado residents are 94.5% of our student-FTE.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The economic impact of the CCCS is $5.8 billion annually, which is roughly equal to the creation of 98,100 jobs. Students receive an average annual rate of return of 14.8% per year, after adjusting for inflation, from their investments in their education at one of our 13 colleges. For every $1.00 a student invests at our colleges, they receive $4.30 more in lifetime earnings. State and local governments receive a rate of return on their investment in CCCS of 13.5% per year after adjusting for inflation.
TUITION
Resident tuition at Community Colleges is $4,600 ($153.35 per credit hour x 30 credit hours) annually for a full-time student.
CCCS Funding
| State General Funds | FY 2019-20 Final Revenue | FY 2020-21 Final Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Technical Act | $27,238,323 | $27,778,242 |
| Industry Training (CJT/EIT) | $4,500,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Career and Technical Education (Occed) | $962,309 | $962,309 |
| Fee for Service Contract | $63,308,881 | $31,006,361 |
| COF Stipend | $127,138,814 | $49,186,559 |
| Other Revenue Sources | FY 2019-20 Final Revenue | FY 2020-21 Final Revenue |
| Carl Perkins Grant (Federal $) | $18,868,489 | $18,069,879 |
| Tuition | $283,722,825 | $271,160,617 |
| Mandatory Student Fees | $20,842,282 | $18,359,757 |
| Amendment 50 | $11,639,809 | $9,969,430 |
| TOTAL | $558,221,732 | $429,993,153 |
AMENDMENT 50 GAMING FUNDS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT FUNDING
The Colorado Community College System received $9,969,430 from Amendment 50 gaming funds in FY 2020-21.
FINANCIAL AID
- Community College Students received $210.6 million in state and federal financial aid in FY 2020-21.
- State financial aid totaled $50.1 million, while federal financial aid comprised $160.6 million in FY 2020-21, federal and state work study total $5.4 million and other student aid totaled $26.8 million.
- 70% of our students receive financial aid.
- The average aid award in FY 2020-21 was $6,282.
