Community College of Allegheny County

Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is a comprehensive public community college serving the residents of Allegheny County and the surrounding southwestern Pennsylvania region. Established in 1966, CCAC was created to expand access to affordable, high-quality higher education and workforce training for a diverse population of learners, including recent high school graduates, adult learners, career changers, and working professionals. Today, it stands as one of the largest community colleges in Pennsylvania, playing a critical role in regional educational attainment and economic mobility.

CCAC offers a wide range of academic programs, over 130 designed to meet students where they are and support them in achieving their educational and career goals. The college provides associate degrees, certificates, and diploma programs across multiple fields, including health sciences, business, information technology, engineering technologies, public safety, education, liberal arts, and skilled trades. These programs are designed both for immediate entry into the workforce and for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. CCAC maintains strong articulation agreements with regional institutions, allowing students to seamlessly continue their education toward bachelor’s degrees and beyond.

A defining feature of CCAC is its commitment to workforce development and alignment with regional labor market needs. The college works closely with employers, industry partners, and economic development organizations to design programs that address skill gaps in high-demand fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, logistics, and early childhood education. Through its workforce and community development division, CCAC also provides customized corporate training, apprenticeships, and short-term credential programs that help individuals quickly gain or upgrade skills for employment.

CCAC serves students across multiple campuses and centers throughout Allegheny County, including Allegheny Campus, Boyce Campus, North Campus, South Campus, West Hills Center, Homewood Brushton, and Braddock Hills as well as several specialized learning sites. This multi-campus/center structure allows the college to remain accessible to students in both urban and suburban communities. In addition, CCAC has expanded its online learning offerings significantly, providing flexible pathways for students balancing education with work and family responsibilities.

Student success is central to CCAC’s mission. The college provides a broad range of academic and student support services, including admissions, advising, counseling, tutoring, career services, placement testing, disability services, financial aid assistance, registration, and personal support resources. These services are designed to remove barriers to completion and ensure that students can persist through challenges. CCAC also places strong emphasis on onboarding and guided pathways, helping students select programs of study early and stay on track toward graduation.

Equity and inclusion are also core institutional priorities. CCAC serves a highly diverse student population, including first-generation college students, low-income learners, veterans, immigrants, and adult learners returning to education after time away. The college actively works to close equity gaps in access, retention, and completion by implementing data-informed strategies and student-centered policies.

Beyond academics, CCAC contributes significantly to the civic, cultural, and economic vitality of the region. The college hosts community events, cultural programming, and public lectures, and partners with local schools, nonprofits, and government agencies to expand educational opportunities. Its graduates make up a substantial portion of the region’s healthcare workforce, public service employees, and technical professionals, reinforcing CCAC’s role as a key driver of regional stability and growth.

Overall, CCAC is committed to transforming lives through accessible education, workforce readiness, and community engagement. It serves as both an entry point to higher education and a launchpad for lifelong learning and economic opportunity, ensuring that students of all backgrounds have the chance to succeed in a rapidly changing world.