Even given a $10-per-unit increase for fall 2011, California Community College fees are the lowest in the nation. The Legislature determines the fees for the community college system, which served nearly 2.8 million students in the 2009-10 school year.

Revenues generated from student fees accounted for about 5% of total revenues for the system in 2010-11. Fees are generally used to offset state aid to community college districts and do not directly improve funding for individual colleges.

The graph below shows how fees, based on semester units, have fluctuated during the past decade. Fees are proportionately adjusted for schools on the quarter system, summer sessions, and short-term courses.

 

 

Data: California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), 2/11; Legislative Analyst’s Office, 3/11
Adapted from EdSource’s 2011 Resource Cards on California Education.

EdSource 4/2011