Consider the categories in which you might evaluate a community college. Create a short list of schools and then examine several factors, including the credentials and degrees offered, programs of study, the articulation agreements (agreements colleges have in place that allow students to transfer to four-year schools) and actual transfer rates, location and online course offerings, size of student population and student culture, cost and housing options if you need them, quality ratings and accreditation, entry requirements and student support in education and career counseling.
Once you have your short list, get on the phone and start asking some questions. If your goal is to transfer to a four-year school, call the schools you might want to attend and ask them from which community colleges do they accept the most students. Also, be sure to call the community colleges you are interested in attending and ask about their success in transfers. Ask specifically how many students transfer to four-year schools from that school.
Take survey data into consideration. Washington Monthly magazine produces a study called America's Best Community Colleges, which uses data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE). CCSSE asks students at approximately 650 community colleges around the country questions about teaching practices, student workload, interaction with faculty and student support. The survey then benchmarks community colleges in five categories: Active and Collaborative Learning, Student Effort, Academic Challenge, Student-Faculty Interaction and Support for Learners. Washington Monthly adds schools graduation rates to their CCSSE score to determine the 50 best colleges. The study is not without controversy, so it would be wise to make it only part of your consideration.