About
Is Berkeley City College the School for You?
Berkeley City College (BCC) is located in downtown Berkeley, roughly two blocks from the University of California, Berkeley and 15 miles from San Francisco. This public community college offers certificates and associate degrees in 43 areas. Weigh the facts below to find out if BCC is the school for you.
<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4>
<ul><li>Open admissions policy
</li><li>Accepts AP and dual credits
</li><li>Offers remedial and academic/career counseling services
</li><li>Diverse student body
</li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4>
<ul><li>Total cost (including all school and living expenses) is $7,873 higher than the national average for 2-year institutions
</li><li>Graduation rate is 12.3 percentage points lower than the state average
</li><li>Student-faculty ratio is 32:1, which is higher than the national average
</li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis">Rankings & School Analysis</h3>
<p>BCC offers more than 40 certificate and degree programs in areas like biotechnology, art, business administration, computer systems, multimedia, psychology and social services. The student-faculty ratio for BCC is 32:1, twice the national average, so classes may be on the larger side. You'll be among a diverse undergraduate student body. In 2011, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicated that the student body was 26% White, 19% African-American, 18% Hispanic or Latino and 15% Asian.
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<p>Roughly 57% of students who attended the school return for a second year, according to the 2010-2011 NCES figures. The NCES also indicates that only 13% of full-time students who started their studies in the fall 2008 semester graduated within 150% of the program's 'normal time'. That figure is nearly half of the 25.3% average for 2-year schools in California. If you're interested in transferring to U.C. Berkeley or another 4-year institution, BCC offers transfer services, such as educational materials and counseling, for an easier transition.
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<p>BCC does not offer on-campus housing, so you'll have the option of living at home or in off-campus housing. In 2011-2012, the NCES reported that the total cost of attendance for BCC was $18,164 a year for in-state students living off campus, nearly $8,000 more than the national average of $10,291 for public 2-year institutions. In-state residents who do not have housing costs paid $7,004 a year.
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<h2 id="section---AdmissionsFinancialAidAtBerkeleyCityCollege">Admissions & Financial Aid at Berkeley City College</h2>
<p>BCC's open admissions policy means that if you've completed high school or a GED program, you may enroll just by submitting an application. Once the school processes your application and any other relevant materials, you can register online for classes or make an appointment with an academic counselor. You may also have to complete assessment testing in English and math to assist with course placement.
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<p>To receive financial aid from BCC, you'll need to complete a FAFSA form, which determines your need for grants, loans and other types of aid. You may also apply for state grants and scholarships by completing the FAFSA and submitting proof of your GPA. If you need supplementary aid, BCC offers work-study positions and merit scholarships to its students. Though tuition and related costs are relatively low, the NCES reports that 25.8% of students who graduated in 2009 defaulted on their student loans within three years of graduation.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> April 1*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2013)</i> </td><td> N/A-Open Admissions</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Tuition & Fees (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $1,046 for in-state students and $5,150 for out-of-state students (full-time)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 25.8%*</td></tr>
</table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtBerkeleyCityCollege">Student Life at Berkeley City College</h2>
<p>In 2011, the student body at BCC was 57% female and 82% of attendees were California residents. Roughly 9% of students came from other countries. If you want to get involved on campus, you'll be able to choose from several available extracurricular activities, including student government, dance and music ensembles, a community service group and a literary magazine. You can also take advantage of flexible course schedules with evening, weekend and online classes.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Midsize city*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 6,356 undergraduates*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 43% to 57%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of Full Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 17%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of In-state Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 82%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of International Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 9%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2010-2011)</i> </td><td> 57% for full-time and 29% for part-time students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> No*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **Berkeley City College.</i>
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<h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3>
<ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, 2050 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
</li><li><i>Phone:</i> (510) 981-2805</li></ul>
