Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 286400
- Phone: (845) 359-7800
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
FINANCIAL AID RATE
71%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
21:1Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
College Video
School Map
Liberal Arts Degree
The liberal arts program at Dutchess Community College prepares students for careers in marketing, sales, business, social media, graphic design, data analysis and management, computer programming, and information technology networking and support. The program focuses in a structured combination of the arts. Program courses include: biological and physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, and independently designed programs of study. Get more details below including other New York colleges that offer liberal arts degrees.
Learn more by requesting information now!

Dutchess Community College
470 Western Highway, Orangeburg, NY
Dutchess Community College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, is one of the thirty community colleges that operate under the State University of New York System (SUNY). DCC was founded in 1957, utilizing a location previously occupied by a hospital. The school is situated on a hill overlooking the town.
One third of graduates in the region attend Dutchess Community College and the school has awarded over 35,000 degrees and certificates since its founding, with 75% percent of graduates having remained in the Hudson Valley. The school is dedicated to providing a quality education to its service area and beyond and is actively involved with the community.
Academics
Dutchess Community College offers associate degree and certificate programs aimed at meeting the needs of a large number of students. Over 60 different programs are available, some occupationally oriented and providing the skills necessary to enter the work force immediately after graduating.
Other programs will fulfill the first two years of a four year education and allow for transfer to a bachelor degree granting institute, particularly those with whom the school has transfer agreements with. Certificate programs are generally shorter career oriented programs, and the credits earned are transferable to a degree program if the student chooses to pursue one at a later date.
Programs offered include:
- Architectural Technology
- Business Administration
- Paralegal
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Humanities and Social Science
- Nursing
- Phlebotomist
- Human Services
- Mathematics
Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at Dutchess Community College must complete and submit the admissions application prior to the established deadline. Applications may be submitted physically or online. Once completed, students will be asked to submit any pertinent transcripts as well as take a placement exam.
The placement exam, also known as the COMPASS, will be used to determine what levels of courses are required by the student, and an appointment will be given by DCC in order to take the exam. Once these steps are completed, and the application reviewed, students will then be eligible to register for classes.
Financial aid is available in the form of federal and state grants, loans, and scholarships. Individuals interested or in need of financial aid must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and obtain a federal Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Residents of New York may also submit an application to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Once completed the office of financial aid will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from which eligibility and financial aid awards will be determined. Students should check with the school to ensure that financial aid deadlines are met.
Athletics
Dutchess Community College participates in several athletic programs in the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division III, Region XV. The teams are known as the Falcons/Lady Falcons. The school actively supports its athletic teams, as it helps develop skills, such as teamwork and discipline that can be actively applied to life during and after college.
DCC has won numerous regional and national competitions, and maintains a tradition of success on field and in the classroom.
Athletic programs:
- Soccer (Men Only)
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Baseball (Men Only)
- Volleyball (Women Only)
- Softball (Women Only)
- Bowling
- Golf
- Cross Country
- Track and Field
Extracurricular Activities
Dutchess Community College offers students with opportunities to expand their horizons through a variety of activities, trips and clubs that are available. From Friday Night Films to the Lyceum speaker series, students can partake of any of the offerings the school provides.
Student Government allows individuals interested in the betterment of the school or wanting to see politics first hand to participate. Clubs in particular allow for likeminded individuals to gather and discuss ideas and plan events regarding their topic of interest.
Some clubs available:
- Anthropology Club
- Business Club
- Engineering Club
- Game Design/Programming Club
- Outdoor Adventure Club
- Sci-Fi Alliance
Students Enrolled in the Liberal Arts Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Dutchess Community College has offered the following program levels for students:
- Less Than Two-Year Award
- Associate's Degree
Students by Academic Level (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Less Than Two-Year Award | 0 |
Associate's Degree | 62 |
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 26 |
Female | 36 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Asian | 5 |
Black | 3 |
Hispanic | 14 |
White | 39 |
Non Resident Alien | 1 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Upon completion of the Liberal Arts program at Dutchess Community College, most students have pursued careers in the following fields:Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
Description
All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, postsecondary teachers, all other employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.3% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 590
- Average Annual Salary: $64030
- Newark, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division
- Average Annual Salary: $79840
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may provide a better idea of the candidates Dutchess Community College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Dutchess Community College may offer services like:
- Online classes
- Weekend and night classes available
- Remedial courses
- Counseling assistance
- Student employment
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Child care
Intercollegiate Athletics
Dutchess Community College is a Member of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), with many of the sports being in the NJCAA Division III classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Softball
- Volleyball