Ohio's oldest and largest public community college, serving Northeast Ohio since 1963.
Tri-C offers more than 1,000 credit courses each semester across over 200 career and technical programs, granting associate degrees, certificates of proficiency, and post-degree professional certificates. The college operates on a semester basis and provides instruction through traditional classroom settings, distance learning, and Cable College (live classes via Cleveland-area cable since the early 1990s). Transfer articulation agreements with four-year institutions support student advancement, and the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Tri-C operates a multi-campus district across Northeast Ohio with four primary campuses: Eastern Campus (Highland Hills), Metropolitan Campus (Downtown Cleveland), Western Campus (Parma and Parma Heights), and Westshore Campus (Westlake). Additional facilities include the Brunswick University Center, Corporate College East and West, and specialized centers for workforce development and hospitality management. The college hosts the annual Tri-C JazzFest since 1980 and supports student athletics through NJCAA competition, with teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, track, softball, volleyball, and soccer.
All persons 18 years of age or older are eligible for most programs of study. The college accepts applications for multiple semesters and serves diverse student populations including new students, transfer students, international students, College Credit Plus participants, and non-credit learners. Admissions and enrollment services are available by phone (216-987-6000) and through the college website.
Approximately 85% of Tri-C students remain and work in the region after graduation. The college graduated 3,500 students in 2025 and provides workforce training through its Workforce Innovation division and Corporate College. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Library and Archives are housed at the Metropolitan Campus, and the college has won NJCAA national titles in men's wrestling (1976) and men's basketball (2004, Division II).