The Community College System - About Ohlone College

The first community college in the United States, Joliet Junior College in Illinois, was founded in 1901, making 2011 the 110th anniversary of the community college system. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, as of 2012 there were 1132 community colleges in the United States, with 986 of those institutions being publicly controlled.

Did You Know…?

Students who earn a California community college degree or certificate nearly double their earnings within 3 years. Source: Community College League of California.

There were 13 million students attending community colleges in the United States in Fall 2009, representing 44% of all undergraduate students in the United States and 43% of all first-time freshmen in the United States. In 2008-2009 community colleges awarded more than 630,000 associate degrees and nearly 425,000 certificates.

The California Community College system of two-year public institutions is composed of 112 colleges statewide organized into 72 districts. During the 2010-2011 academic year the California Community College system enrolled more than 2.60 million students, more than 85,000 students earned an associate degree, and more than 47,000 students earned a certificate. The California Community College System represents the largest system of higher education in the world.

Did You Know…?

Nearly two-thirds of community college students who transfer to UC complete a Bachelor's degree within three years of entering UC—a rate comparable to "native" UC students (those students who were eligible and entered as freshmen). Source: Community College League of California.

Ohlone College is a part of the Ohlone Community College District with campuses in Fremont and Newark, as well as the virtual campus of online course offerings.

During 2011-2012 the Ohlone Community College District served six high schools, two continuation high schools, two adult schools, and the Regional Occupational Programs, and almost 17,000 students. Ohlone is proud of its role in the community college system – both in the United States and California – and honored to be able to provide its students with a quality educational experience.

[From the 2012-2013 Ohlone College Catalog.]