College Costs

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is created by the Office of Financial Aid to give students an average of the expenses they may incur during the academic year while attending CCC.  It typically exceeds a student's bill because it includes not only tuition and fees but also living expenses, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The COA is used to determine eligibility for financial aid such as grants and loans and sets a federally-required limit on the amount of financial aid a student can receive. 

The COA is divided into two categories: direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are those that will appear on a student’s CCC bill, such as tuition, fees, and housing and food plan charges (if the student lives on campus) and textbook charges through the Raider Ready Textbook program. Indirect costs are estimated expenses that won’t appear on a student’s bill but are important to consider when budgeting. These can include costs like supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenses.  

Although costs vary depending on a student's individual situation, program of study, and spending habits, the following provide estimated costs for two semesters (30 credit hours).  

2026-2027 COA

The tuition listed in the Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate and is finalized each spring by the CCC Board of Governors for the upcoming academic year. 

At CCC, tuition and fees are charged on a per-credit-hour basis. To calculate your total tuition and fees cost, simply multiply the total number of credit hours by the applicable tuition and fees rate. 

Residence classification is generally determined at the time of admission to CCC. For more detailed information, please refer to the Resident Classification section. 

2026-2027 Tuition and Fees (Cost Per Credit)

The estimate within the COA is an allowance for the cost of housing (whether on- or off-campus or at home with family) and food for the academic year. Estimates are created by surveying students and local housing resources to determine an average of what students are spending. 

A student's estimated housing amount may vary depending on WHERE  they choose to live: 

• CCC On-Campus Housing 
  • On-campus housing is offered at our Hastings and Columbus Campuses 
  • Billed with tuition & fees to your CCC Student Account bill. 
  • You will be charged based on your selected room type, and meal plan.

2026-2027 Housing and Meal Plan Rates

• Off-Campus 
  • Options can vary drastically so research all of your available options to find what’s affordable for you.  
  • Make sure to understand your lease, security deposit, monthly rent, and monthly utility costs as off-campus housing options will not be part of your CCC bill 
• CCC-UNK Residential Housing Program 
  • Students located at our Kearney Center are able contract with UNK housing and live in one of the UNK Residence Halls 
  • The cost of the housing will be included on your CCC bill  
• Living at Home 
  • Students living at home with a parent or other family do not have the same expenses for housing and food and therefore will have a lower estimated amount. 

 Food costs may also vary depending on a student's own spending (and eating) habits. 

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is created by the Office of Financial Aid to give students an average of the expenses they may incur during the academic year while attending CCC.  It typically exceeds a student's bill because it includes not only tuition and fees but also living expenses, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The COA is used to determine eligibility for financial aid such as grants and loans and sets a federally-required limit on the amount of financial aid a student can receive. 

The COA is divided into two categories: direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are those that will appear on a student’s CCC bill, such as tuition, fees, and housing and food plan charges (if the student lives on campus) and textbook charges through the Raider Ready Textbook program. Indirect costs are estimated expenses that won’t appear on a student’s bill but are important to consider when budgeting. These can include costs like supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenses.  

Although costs vary depending on a student's individual situation, program of study, and spending habits, the following provide estimated costs for two semesters (30 credit hours).  

2025-2026 COA

The tuition listed in the Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate and is finalized each spring by the CCC Board of Governors for the upcoming academic year. 

At CCC, tuition and fees are charged on a per-credit-hour basis. To calculate your total tuition and fees cost, simply multiply the total number of credit hours by the applicable tuition and fees rate. 

Residence classification is generally determined at the time of admission to CCC. For more detailed information, please refer to the Resident Classification section. 

2025-2026 Tuition and Fees (Cost Per Credit)

The estimate within the COA is an allowance for the cost of housing (whether on- or off-campus or at home with family) and food for the academic year. Estimates are created by surveying students and local housing resources to determine an average of what students are spending. 

A student's estimated housing amount may vary depending on WHERE  they choose to live: 

• CCC On-Campus Housing 
  • On-campus housing is offered at our Hastings and Columbus Campuses 
  • Billed with tuition & fees to your CCC Student Account bill. 
  • You will be charged based on your selected room type, and meal plan.

2025-2026 Housing and Meal Plan Rates

• Off-Campus 
  • Options can vary drastically so research all of your available options to find what’s affordable for you.  
  • Make sure to understand your lease, security deposit, monthly rent, and monthly utility costs as off-campus housing options will not be part of your CCC bill 
• CCC-UNK Residential Housing Program 
  • Students located at our Kearney Center are able contract with UNK housing and live in one of the UNK Residence Halls 
  • The cost of the housing will be included on your CCC bill  
• Living at Home 
  • Students living at home with a parent or other family do not have the same expenses for housing and food and therefore will have a lower estimated amount. 

 Food costs may also vary depending on a student's own spending (and eating) habits. 

An essential part of college success is having the right books and supplies for your courses. The cost of books and supplies can vary depending on the classes you're taking. 

To streamline the book purchasing process and provide cost-effective options for students, CCC offers the Raider Ready Textbook Program. This program ensures that all students, across all courses, have access to the necessary learning materials on or before the first day of class, helping you start your academic journey with the resources you need from day one. 

To find out which materials are required for your classes and included in the Raider Ready Textbook Program, visit the CCC Bookstore. 

All registered students are automatically opted into the Raider Ready program each semester but have the option to opt-out if they choose. 

While these expenses are not charged through CCC it is still important for you to budget for them. These include allowances for transportation, clothing, recreation, and other living and miscellaneous expenses. They vary greatly based on your lifestyle. The allowance is based on what we consider reasonable but modest costs after surveying segments of our student population.

Some of our programs have additional cost to purchase the necessary tools, equipment or safety gear. Those programs that have additional cost are listed below along with the expected costs. For a complete list of the required tools please contact the program advisor.

2026-27 Specific Program Expenses

Advanced Manufacturing Design Technology (AMDT)

1st Semester
Required Tools: $2,792
Safety Eyewear: $20
Total: $2,812.

2nd Semester
Required Tools: $1,051
Safety Eyewear: $20
Total: $1,071

Auto Body Technology (AUTB)        

1st Year - Fall Semester
Required Tools: $5,500
Required Toolbox:$1,500
Uniforms: $250
Safety Eyeware: $50
Total: $7,300

Automotive Technology (AUTO)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Required Tools: $2,200
Uniforms Pants (2 Pair): $75
Shoes: $100
Safety Eyewear: $15
Jumper Wire Kit: $15
Total: $2,405

1st Year - Spring Semester
Required Tools: $1,450
ASE 609 Certificate: $25
Total: $1,475

2nd Year - Fall Semester
Required Toolbox: $2,000
Total: $2,000

2nd Year - Spring Semester
Required Tools: $1,450
Required Bonus Tools: $1,463
Total: $2,913

Construction Technology (CNST)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Required Tools: $460
N-95 Mask/Half Face Mask: $28
Safety Eyeware: $15
Total: $503

Dental Assisting (DENT)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Uniforms: $250
Shoes: $150
Safety Eyewear: $20
CPR (required in program): $70
Total: $490

Dental Hygiene (DENH)         

1st Year - Fall Semester
Instrument Kit: $7,000
Magnification Loupes: $2,500
Uniforms: $300
Gloves, Masks & Transportation to Rotations Sites: $125
Required Association Fees: $85
Total: $10,010

1st Year - Spring Semester
Instrument Kit: $7,000
Gloves, Masks & Transportation to Rotations Sites: $125
Total: $7,125

2nd Year - Fall Semester
Required Association Fees: $85
Gloves, Masks & Transportation to Rotations Sites: $125
Total: $210

2nd Year - Spring Semester
Gloves, Masks & Transportation to Rotations Sites: $125
Clinical Board Certification/Credentialing (Required to work in field): $1,500
National Board Certificatio/Credentialing (Required to work in field) $600
Total: $2,2255

Diesel Technology (DSLT)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Required Tools: $7,700
Uniforms: $180
Safety Toe Shoes: $175
Safety Eyewear: $20
Air Tool Adapter Kit: $22
Total: $8,097

1st Year - Spring Semester
ASE 609 Certificate: $25
Total: $25

2nd Year - Fall Semester
Required Toolbox (required at start of fall term): $1,200
Total: $1,200

Electrical Technology (ELTR)

1st Semester
Required Tools: $500
Required Toolpouch/Bag: $100
Milwaukee Cut Resistant Gloves: $20
Safety Eyewear: $10
Total: $630

2nd Semester
Required Tools: $500
Milwaukee Cut Resistant Gloves: $20
Safety Eyewear: $10
Total: $530

Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

1st Year - Fall Semester
Required Tools: $300
Required Toolbox: $250
Gloves: $25
Safety Eyewear: $30
Total: $605

1st Year - Spring Semester
Basic Refrigeration & Charging Procedures Certification (required to work in field): $15
R-140A Safety Certification (required to work in field): $35
EPA 608 Technician Certification (required to work in field): $35
Total: $85

2nd Year - Fall Semester
Electrical Theory ESCO Certification (required to work in field): $15
Total: $15

2nd Year - Spring Semester
Gas Heat ESCO Certification (required to work in field): $15
Total: $15

Heavy Equipment Operator Technician (HEOT)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Safety Vest: $30
Composite Toe Boots: $250
Gloves: $50
Hard Hat: $30
Safety Eyewear: $20
Equipment Keys: $50
Total: $430

Optional Tools:
Electric Grease Gun: $500

Hospitality Management - Culinary (HMRM.C)

1st Semester
Culinary Uniforms & Culinary Kit: $235
Culinary Knife Kit: $145
Serve Safe Alcohol Certification (required in program): $30
Serve Safe Manager Certification (required in program): $38
Total: $448

Medical Assisting (MEDA)

1st Semester
Uniforms: $200
Stethoscope: $50
CPR/BLS (required in program): $75
Total: $325

Optional Training:
Medication Aide Training: $431

Medical Laboratory Technician (MEDT)

1st Semester
Uniforms: $100
Shoes: $65
Total: $165

3rd Semester
Media Lab Simulator: $98
Total: $98

Nursing Education (ADNR)

1st Year - Fall Semester
ATI Fees: $1,881
Program Fees: $40
Required Instruments: $100
Uniforms: $250
Total: $2,271

1st Year - Spring Semester
ATI Fees: $1,881
Licensing & NCLEX (required to work in LPN field): $323
Total: $2,204

2nd Year - Fall Semester
Program Fees: $55
Total: $55

2nd Year - Spring Semester
Licensing & NCLEX (required to work in RN field): $323
Total: $323

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Fall Semester - 2nd Year Student
AOTA Required Association Fees: $75
NOTA Required Association Fees: $30
PAM Certification (required in program): $100
OTHA Knowledge Certification: $15
Total: $220

Paramedicine (PARM)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Uniforms: $180
Shoes: $75
Safety Eyewear: $25
FISDAP: $64
NREMT Cognitive Certification-EMT (required to work in field): $110
Total: $454

Optional Equipment
Stethoscope: $100

1st Year - Spring Semester
PALS Certification (required in program): $90
Total: $90

1st Year - Summer Semester
ACLS Certification (required in program): $82
PHTLS Certification (required in program): $20
AMLS Certification (required in program): $20
NREMT Cognitive Certification (required to work in field): $180
Total: $302

Pharmacy Technician (PHRM)

1st Year - Fall Semester
Uniforms: $50
BLS (required in program): $70
Total: $120

1st Year - Spring Semester
State of NE License (Pharmacy Law & Business Application): $25
Total: $25

1st Year - Summer Semester
Pharmacy Tech Pre-Test & Exam: $158
Total: $158

Welding Technology (WELD)       

1st Semester - Fall Semester
Required Tools & Toolbox: $1,250
Required Toolbox: $50
Safety Eyewear: $400
Total: $1,700

This Net Price Calculator will provide a preliminary estimate of federal aid eligibility, to help you understand what aid you may be awarded and make arrangements to cover the cost of attendance at college

Nebraska Residents

A student qualifies for resident tuition rates at Central Community College if he or she is not an international student or dependent with an F status, and meets one of the following criteria:

• Legal Age Resident or Emancipated Minor
• Dependent Minor (less than 19 years of age)
• Legal Age Dependent (19-24 years of age)
• Married to a Nebraska Resident
• Permanent Resident, Asylee or Refugee
• University / State College / NE Community College
  Employee or Dependent / Spouse
• Active Duty Military / NE National Guard
  Dependent or Spouse
• Nebraska High School Graduate / Nebraska Dream Act
• Native American
• Recruited or Transferred Employee or Dependent / Spouse
• Nebraska High School Graduate Veteran
• Military Veteran or Dependent / Spouse
• Midwest Student Exchange

If you qualify in one of these categories, send the completed application to:  [email protected]

Application

Non-Nebraska Residents

An individual who does not qualify for the resident tuition rate is considered a non-resident.

If you believe you should be considered a Nebraska resident and receive in-state tuition, please contact the Admissions Office of your choice. 

CCC Admissions

[email protected]
Columbus Campus: 402-562-1257
Grand Island Campus: 308-398-7420
Hastings Campus: 402-461-2428 

Tuition and Fees Refund

Students who drop credits within the time periods listed below, according to the course's scheduled session length, will receive a 100 percent refund of tuition and fees. Thereafter, no refund is available. Contact the Student Accounts Office for assistance.

One and two-day seminars and workshops are excluded from refunds after the activity begins.

In order to receive a refund, a student must notify the Registrar’s Office and Student Accounts Office. Students who have credit balances will receive a refund within 60 days.