What Is It Known For?
Residents of St. Charles County voted in 1986, a decision that brought St. Charles Community College (SCC) to Cottleville, Missouri, where it has grown into a leading provider of affordable higher education and workforce training.
More than 10,000 credit students enroll annually, not counting those taking non-credit courses. The college serves the St. Charles County region with programs that prepare students for both career entry and transfer to four-year institutions.
Degrees & Certifications
Over 60 academic programs, degrees, and workforce-ready certificates at SCC give you plenty of paths forward.
The programs offered at St. Charles Community College fall under the following categories:
- Associate of Arts
- Associate of Arts in Teaching
- Associate of Fine Arts
- Associate of Science
- Associate of Applied Science
- Certificate of Achievement & Certificate of Specialization
Most associate degrees take two years when you study full-time, with certificates having different timeframes.
Class Schedules
SCC builds flexibility into its schedule because many students balance work and family alongside their education. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes let you fit coursework around other obligations.
Format choices include traditional in-person sessions, fully online courses, and hybrid models that blend both approaches. This variety means you can match your learning style and schedule constraints.
Specific health programs include mandatory clinical rotations/externships in the curriculum. These placements at regional healthcare facilities give you supervised, real-world training before graduation. You’ll apply classroom concepts while working with actual patients under professional guidance.
Is It a Good School?
The Higher Learning Commission, an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, has accredited St. Charles Community College.
Acceptance Rate
Open-access admission means SCC accepts 100% of applicants who meet basic enrollment requirements.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
St. Charles Community College’s tuition rates are as follows:
- In-District Residents: $113/credit hour to $228/credit hour
- Out-of-District/State: $180/credit hour to $295/credit hour
- Out-of-state: $240/credit hour to $355/credit hour
Online courses follow different rate structures. Visit the tuition & payment page for complete details on all pricing.
For a personalized cost estimate based on your specific situation, use the SCC Net Price Calculator.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Management
Criminal Justice & Law
- Law Enforcement
Healthcare
- Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Emergency Medical Science
- Exercise Science
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Surgical Technology
Professional Services
- Graphic Design
- Music
- Theatre
- Baking & Pastry
- Culinary
Skilled Trades
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Manufacturing
- Mechatronics
- Machining
- Welding
Technology
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Data Analytics
- Programming
- Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)
- Cyber Security
- Information Technology
Campus Locations
Cottleville 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive Cottleville, MO 63376
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, St. Charles Community College (SCC) is highly regarded for its affordability, quality of instruction, and well-maintained campus, though it faces consistent criticism regarding its administrative processes, particularly in the financial aid department.
Overall Score: 3.7/5 Stars
Common Praises
High-Quality Faculty: The most consistent praise is for the professors. Students frequently describe them as “fantastic,” “adoring,” and highly supportive. Many graduates note that the quality of instruction rivaled or exceeded that of the four-year universities they later attended.
Exceptional Value: Reviewers highlight the low tuition costs (often under $1,000 per semester for in-district students) as a major benefit. It is widely considered a “smart start” for those looking to save money before transferring to a university.
Beautiful and Safe Campus: The campus is frequently described as a “cultural oasis” with well-maintained facilities and a safe environment. The bookstore and the campus rec center also receive positive mentions for being clean and well-stocked.
Effective Transfer Pathways: Former students note that transferring credits to Missouri institutions like Lindenwood or UMSL is a seamless process, supported by the CORE 42 framework which guarantees the transfer of general education blocks.
Common Criticisms
Financial Aid Obstacles: This is the school’s most significant pain point. Numerous reviews describe the financial aid office as “useless,” “vague,” and “rude.” Students report having to repeatedly submit paperwork, facing long delays in responses, and encountering “roadblocks” that weren’t resolved until after critical deadlines.
Administrative Communication: Beyond financial aid, general admissions and advising are often criticized for a lack of transparency. Some students felt they were not informed about essential procedures, such as obtaining parking tags or campus events.
Sprawling Campus Layout: A minor but recurring complaint is that the buildings are “too spread out,” making it difficult to navigate the campus quickly between classes.
Isolated Reports of Bias: One review from 2023 alleged racial favoritism by a specific professor in the computer ethics department, though this remains an outlier compared to the broader praise for faculty.
Momentum
The momentum for St. Charles Community College is positive regarding academics but stagnant regarding administration. Recent updates from late 2025 highlight new career paths at the Regional Workforce Innovation Center, which focuses on machining, manufacturing, and welding. However, persistent complaints about the financial aid office suggest systemic administrative issues that have yet to be fully addressed. Despite this, the college remains a top choice in Missouri due to its high graduation value and successful transfer rates.