Since 1962, when the state legislature authorized the establishment of community colleges and committed the state to share in their support, 16 community colleges and 67,166 students have been added to the higher education system in New Jersey. This report documents the development of the community colleges from 1955 to 1972 in the context of the history of higher education in that state. It also reviews: (1) the state legislation authorizing the establishment of community colleges; (2) the success of community colleges in fulfilling their goals (providing accessibility to higher education, offering a diversity of programs, and responding to local, state, and national needs); (3) the capital and operating costs and methods of finance; and (4) current issues and plans for the future. Charts and tables give data regarding enrollment, tuition compared to that of other states, family income distributions, student ACT scores compared with those of a national community college sample, the number of students who have transferred to four-year institutions, and the number of associate degrees conferred. (DC)