What Is It Known For?
Founded in 1983, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) operates as a two-year public institution with open access enrollment. As one of 13 community colleges within the Colorado Community College System, CCA serves nearly 690,000 residents across Denver, Arapahoe, and Adams counties.
Over 12,000 students from more than 60 countries attend CCA. Some come looking to sharpen their current skills, while others need credentials to land employment. Many plan to transfer their credits to a four-year college or university after graduation. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, CCA maintains one of the best teaching ratios in Colorado.
Degrees & Certifications
Your goals determine which educational path makes sense. If you want to knock out your first two years before transferring to a bachelor’s program, CCA has coursework that guarantees transfer to Colorado public colleges and universities. If you need an in-demand credential to enter the workforce quickly, short-term certificate options get you there faster.
Six pathways organize the school’s more than 60 degrees and certificates:
- Communication & Languages
- Creative industries
- People, Societies & Ideas
- Professional Studies & Public Service
- Health
- STEM
Class Schedules
Hundreds of online, hybrid, and day/evening/weekend courses at Community College of Aurora give you options that work around jobs and family obligations. Cohort-based programs let you move through coursework with the same group of students.
Healthcare programs include externships and clinical experience as part of your training. This hands-on component prepares you for real patient care settings.
Is It a Good School?
The Community College of Aurora is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which oversees quality standards for colleges and universities across multiple states.
Acceptance Rate
100% acceptance rate. Entry to the Community College of Aurora is open to all applicants who meet the school’s admission requirements. Some programs may require extra testing or interviews.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
A three-credit class at Community College of Aurora costs about $537 for Colorado residents and around $2,082 for non-residents.
The school currently does not have a functional net price calculator. Please contact the school for any cost enquiries.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Business
- Business: Human Resource Management
Criminal Justice & Law
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal
Healthcare
- Nursing
- Patient Care Technician
- Respiratory Therapy
- Nurse Aide
- Phlebotomy
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Paramedic
Professional Services
- Graphic & Web design
Skilled Trades
- Fire Science Technology
- Construction
- Diesel Power Mechanics
Technology
- Computer Information System
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Programming
Campus Locations
Aurora 16000 E. CentreTech Pkwy Aurora, CO 80011
Centennial 12650 E. Arapahoe Rd., Suite 100 Centennial, CO 80112
Denver 9075 E. Lowry Blvd. Denver, CO 80230
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) is characterized by its strong diversity, quality faculty, and excellent value but is consistently hampered by severe, long-standing issues in its Financial Aid and Advising departments. The Centennial Campus specializes in Healthcare and First Responder programs.
Overall Score: 3.8/5 Stars
Common Praises
Faculty Quality and Support: Many older and recent reviews praise the professors as “wonderful,” “amazing,” and “helpful and eager to answer your questions.” Students felt instructors spent time ensuring their success.
Exceptional Diversity and Environment: The college is noted for its diverse student body and inclusive atmosphere, which is confirmed by public demographic data.
Value and Transfer: The school is praised for its low cost relative to universities, offering a cost-effective way to get necessary credits.
Common Criticisms
Financial Aid Office Issues (Severe and Recurring): This is the most significant and consistent complaint, spanning over a decade. Students describe the Financial Aid department as a “joke,” “slow and unresponsive,” and “nearly impossible to reach,” with multiple reports of lost documents or billing errors.
Administrative/Advising Staff Performance: Advising staff are frequently described as “unhelpful,” “abrasive and blunt,” and creating the impression that students are “bothering them.” Recent complaints detail specific negative interactions with unhelpful front-facing staff.
Inconsistent Program Quality (IT/Networking): Several older reviews focused on the IT and Networking courses, calling the classes “unorganized” and professors “uninterested in whether you learn anything.”
Momentum
The historically high praise for faculty and the school’s value continues to be noted in recent positive reviews, but the administrative weakness remains the defining negative trend. Reviews from the past year continue to cite the same problems with advising and unhelpful front-facing staff that were present a decade ago. While the diverse environment is a source of pride for the institution, administrative functions like Financial Aid and Advising continue to create friction that undermines the overall student experience.