What is Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3)?
Updated
Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) is a public community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, located in the Cortland/Tompkins County area of upstate New York. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and microcredentials, along with transfer pathways, online and hybrid learning, on-campus housing, and career services. It suits students seeking an affordable start to a bachelor's degree, career-focused training, or a flexible schedule.
What TC3 offers
Academics and credentials
- Degree and certificate programs designed with input from industry experts, according to the college.
- Stackable credentials: industry-recognized microcredentials and certificates that build toward a full degree.
- Transfer pathways for students planning to continue to a four-year institution.
- College credit in high school, plus support for international students.
Flexible learning formats
TC3 states it offers in-person, online, and hybrid options, so students can balance study with work or family commitments.
Student support and campus life
- Academic advising, tutoring, and career services (career exploration, resume building, interview practice).
- Small class sizes and what the college describes as a diverse, inclusive community.
- On-campus apartments, dining options, athletics, and campus events.
Career preparation
The college cites internships, fieldwork, partnerships with local businesses, and 100+ employer connections, with faculty who bring professional experience into the classroom.
Who it may fit
| If you want to… | TC3's relevant offering |
|---|---|
| Start a bachelor's degree at lower cost | Associate programs and transfer pathways; the college describes itself as one of the most affordable in the region |
| Train for a job quickly | Certificates and microcredentials that stack toward a degree |
| Study around a job or family | Online and hybrid formats |
| Live on campus | On-campus apartments and dining |
| Get career help | Career services and employer connections |
Next step
Use the college's Find Your Program and Admission & Aid sections to check specific programs, tuition and fees, financial aid and scholarships, and application steps. The site also lists a SUNY Reconnect option and a Schedule of Classes for registration planning.