California Community Colleges
Computer Science Programs
Computer science and IT pathways at community colleges in this state. Programming, networking, cybersecurity, and transfer-track CS courses.
73 colleges · 1727 sections · 600 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
California community colleges offer two distinct CS pathways: an associate of applied science (AAS) for students aiming directly at help-desk, network admin, or junior developer roles, and a transfer-track AS that articulates to a bachelor's in computer science at a four-year school. The 1727 sections this term across 73 California CCs institutions cover programming (Python, Java, JavaScript), data structures, networking, cybersecurity, and intro computer science theory.
Two-year CC programs aren't a shortcut to a software engineering career — most SWE roles still require a bachelor's — but the IT-support, sysadmin, and cybersecurity-tech career paths absolutely start here. For students who want to be a software developer, the transfer-track AS lets you complete two years at community-college tuition before continuing to a CS bachelor's, with credit articulation in place at most California four-year programs.
Colleges offering Computer Science
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Computer Science is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Computer Science Availability Snapshot
How computer science sections are being offered across 73 colleges in California this term (1727 sections total).
Delivery format
- online1076 (62%)
- in person412 (24%)
- hybrid166 (10%)
- zoom73 (4%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)235
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)158
- Evening (5 PM and after)205
- Asynchronous / TBA1129
Start dates
Sections begin on 39 distinct dates. 544 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 501 distinct instructors across 73 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
College of the Desert1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
- CS 007AComputer Science I(4 cr)3 sections+ plan
- CS 007BComputer Science II(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- CS 008Computer Architecture and Organization(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- MATH 015Discrete Mathematics for Computers(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- MATH 001ACalculus(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 001BCalculus II(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- PH 003AEngineering Physics(4 cr)2 sections+ plan
- PH 003BEngineering Physics(4 cr)2 sections+ plan
Source: College catalog
Cuyamaca College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
- BIO 230Principles of Cellular, Molecular and Evolutionary Biology(4 cr)4 sections+ plan
- CS 165Assembly Language and Machine Architecture(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- CS 181Introduction to C++ Programming(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- CS 182Introduction to Java Programming1 section+ plan
- CS 240Discrete Structures(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- CS 281Intermediate C++ Programming and Fundamental Data Structures(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- CS 282Intermediate Java Programming and Fundamental Data Structures1 section+ plan
- MATH 180Analytic Geometry and Calculus I(5 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 280Analytic Geometry and Calculus II(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- PHYC 201Mechanics and Waves(5 cr)7 sections+ plan
Source: College catalog
Evergreen Valley College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
- COMSC 077Introduction to Computer Systems(3 cr)2 sections+ plan
- COMSC 080Discrete Structures(3 cr)2 sections+ plan
- PHYS 007ACalculus-Based General Physics for Scientists and Engineers - I(4 cr)3 sections+ plan
- PHYS 007BCalculus-Based General Physics for Scientists and Engineers - II(4 cr)2 sections+ plan
- BIOL 004AGeneral Principles and Cell Biology3 sections+ plan
- COMSC 041Programming Concepts and Methodology Iand Programming Concepts and Methodology II(6 cr)1 section+ plan
- COMSC 075Computer Science I: Introduction to Program Structuresand Computer Science II: Introduction to Data Structures(6 cr)2 sections+ plan
- MATH 066Calculus I Late Transcendentals for STEMand Calculus II Late Transcendentals for STEM(8 cr)3 sections+ plan
- MATH 071Calculus I With Analytic Geometryand Calculus II With Analytic Geometry(10 cr)9 sections+ plan
Source: College catalog
Foothill College2 programs
Fullerton College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
24 credits- CSCI 123Introduction to Programming Concepts in C++(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- CSCI 133Data Structures in C++(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 152Calculus II (formerly MATH 150BF)(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 152HHonors Calculus IInot offered+ plan
- MATH 171Discrete Mathematicsand Introduction to Linear Algebra(7 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 170Discrete Structuresand Linear Algebra(8 cr)not offered+ plan
- CSCI 223C Language for Math and Science(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- CSCI 241Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming(4 cr)not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Grossmont College6 programs
Long Beach City College4 programs
Mt San Antonio College8 programs
Pasadena City College2 programs
San Bernardino Valley College3 programs
San Joaquin Delta College3 programs
San Jose City College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
33 credits- CIS 024CPython Programming(3 cr)2 sections+ plan
- CIS 054C/C++ Programming2 sections+ plan
- CIS 084Java Programming2 sections+ plan
- CIS 055Data Structures: Programming(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- CIS 087Computer Systems, Architecture, and Organization(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- MATH 080Discrete Structures for Computer Science(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 071Calculus I With Analytic Geometry(5 cr)9 sectionsor MATH 071H+ plan
- MATH 072Calculus II with Analytic Geometry(5 cr)6 sections+ plan
- PHYS 004AGeneral Physics(5 cr)2 sections+ plan
- BIOL 004AGeneral Principles and Cell Biology(5 cr)3 sections+ plan
Source: College catalog
Sierra College2 programs
Common Computer Science courses
- CIS 101Intro Computer Info Systms(92 sections)
- CIS 1AIntroduction to Computer Information Systems(30 sections)
- CIS 1INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS(28 sections)
- CIS 5Introduction to Computer Science(27 sections)
- CIS 13Computer Information Systems(22 sections)
- CIS 192Database Essentials in AWS(19 sections)
- COMP B11Programming Concepts and Methodology I(16 sections)
- CIS 25OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING USING C++(14 sections)
- CIS 103Computer Programming Logic(14 sections)
- CIS 6INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING(12 sections)
- CIS 210Intro to Computer Applications(12 sections)
- CIS 104Information/Communication Tech(12 sections)
Career outlook for Computer Science graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare California’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a software engineer with an associate degree?
- Possible but uncommon. Most software engineering roles require a bachelor's in computer science or equivalent experience. The realistic CC-grad direct path is IT support / help desk → junior systems administrator → systems engineer, often with industry certifications (CompTIA Network+, Security+, AWS) earned alongside the degree.
- Does community college CS credit transfer to a CS bachelor's?
- Yes, if you pick the transfer-track AS rather than the career-track AAS. The two tracks share courses but have different math sequences — transfer-track requires Calculus I and II; AAS often uses applied math or business math. Confirm with your target four-year school's transfer office before enrolling.
- What programming languages do California community colleges teach?
- Python is dominant for intro courses and data-science tracks. Java is common in transfer-track CS sequences (mirroring what most four-year schools teach in their first two years). JavaScript appears in web-development AAS programs. C++ shows up in some game-dev and embedded-systems tracks. Check each college's catalog below for specifics.
- Is cybersecurity a good track at California CCs?
- Yes — it's one of the highest-employment direct-career paths from a CC. Most California community college cybersecurity programs are aligned with the NSA / DHS Center of Academic Excellence framework and prepare students for industry certifications like Security+ and CySA+. Graduates step into SOC analyst, junior pen-test, or IT-security-admin roles.
Compare Computer Science programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how California’s computer science programs stack up.
Other programs in California
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.