Highlights -
- Colleges - There are over 1000 community colleges in USA. Colleges like Fox Valley Technical School, and Lake Area Technical School are the top community colleges in the US.
- Degrees offered - The affordable community colleges in USA for international students offer university transfer degrees and career-focused associate degrees in the USA.
- Eligibility - You need to secure an F1 student visa to get into the top community colleges in the US. Most Community Colleges do not require SAT or ACT as a standardized test.
- Associate degree divisions- The best community colleges in the US offer associate degrees in arts, science, and applied science.
- Tuition Fees - The average tuition fee for the top ranked community colleges in the US is around $3,564 per year for in-state students and approximately $9,690 yearly for international students.
The community colleges in USA, also known as junior colleges, serve various post-secondary educational purposes for a range of learners. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, the U.S. has over 1,000 schools classified as community or junior colleges. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, the U.S. has over 1,000 schools classified as community or junior colleges. These include first-time college students earning credits towards an associate or bachelor’s degree, and working professionals gaining new skills in a certificate program, for 60 credits.
- Most community colleges in USA are public, meaning they receive federal and state funding to help make education affordable for the students they serve.
- If you do not earn a degree from a community college, you can use it as a bridge to earn college credits before transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree.
- If you are an international student, you are eligible to enter U.S. community colleges once you have completed SPM, IGCSE, or equivalent. A level, foundation, or other pre-university qualifications are not usually required.
- The completion of an Associate degree allows individuals to earn from USD 56,000 to USD 63,000 per annum, which is equivalent to INR 46.3 Lakhs to INR 52 Lakhs.
The top ranked community colleges in the US allow you to transfer your credits to US universities as compared to other programs like the American Degree Transfer Program or diplomas from Malaysia. In the United States, community colleges operate under "open admissions" policies. That is, anyone with a high school diploma or GED may attend, regardless of academic status or college entrance exam scores.
Table of Content
Top US Community Colleges
International student enrollment at US community colleges increased by 7% from 2021/22 to 2022/23. Community Colleges in USA have been preferred by students because of how affordable the tuition fees are and save up to 80% of the tuition fees each year. The best community colleges in America have small class sizes, and flexible entry without the SAT or ACT. Some of the community colleges in America for international students -
| University | Degrees | Courses Available | Tuition fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Technical and Community College | Associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas | Business Education and human services Health and Nursing Liberal arts and sciences |
$182.61/credit |
| Anne Arundel Community College | Associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and job training | School of Business and Law School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development School of Health Sciences School of Liberal Arts School of Science, Technology, and Education |
$425 per credit hour |
| College of San Mateo | 150 associate degree and certificate programs |
Business and Accounting |
$358 per unit |
| Fox Valley Technical College | associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships | Agriculture, Horticulture, and natural resources Business, management, and finance Education and Human Services Engineering Technologies |
$224.25 per credit |
| Lake Area Technical College | Associate and certificate degrees | Agriculture business Diesel technology Human services |
$124 per credit |
| De Anza College | 75 associate degrees, over 100 certificates | Administration of justice Automotive Computer information systems Health technologies |
$276.00 per unit |
| Kapi'olani Community College | Associate and Certificate Degrees | Computer science and information technology Healthcare Liberal arts Natural Sciences and Engineering |
$357 per credit |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Associate, certificate, and diploma degrees. | Building trades Business Health Sciences Liberal arts and sciences Radiologic Technology Cardiovascular Technology |
$ 210.80 per credit |
| Santa Barbara City College | Associate and Diploma | Business and Entrepreneurship Healthcare, wellness, and Public service Nature, Numbers, and Engineering Performing, visual, and media arts |
$361.00 per credit |
| Western Wyoming Community College | Associate, certificate, and diploma degrees, and also a few bachelor's degrees. | Business and Computer Technology Human and public services Manufacturing and industry Visual and performing arts |
$351 per credit |
Top Community Colleges in USA for Nursing
Some of the cheapest nursing community colleges in USA for international students are listed below -
| University | Degree | Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Community College of Philadephia | Associate Degree of Applied Science | $477 per credit hour |
| Tacoma Community College | Nursing Assistant Certified Associate Degree in Nursing |
$328.13 per credit hour |
| Montgomery Community College | Nursing degree Nursing Reactivation (non-credential) Nursing Refresher (non-credit credentials) |
$498 per credit |
| Houston Community College | Licensed Vocational Nursing Associate Degree Nursing |
$151.00 per hour |
| Portland Community College | Associate Degree Nursing | $278 per credit |
Top Community Colleges in USA for Computer Science
The tabulated list contains the best community colleges in USA for computer science -
| University | Degrees | Tuition fees |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica College | Associate in Science Degree - Computer Programming Certificate of Achievement - Computer Programming Associate in Science Degree - Cloud Computing Certificate of Achievement - Cloud Computing Associate in Science Degree - Database Applications Developer |
$316 |
| Valencia College | Associate Science in Computer Information Technology Analyst |
$390.96 |
| Foothill College | Associate in Science for Transfer | $245 per unit |
| Pasadena City College (CA) | Data Science - Associate in Science Degree, Certificate of Achievement | $46.00 per unit |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Associate Degree in Computer Science | $381.78 |
University Transfer Degree
This 2+2 degree is sought by those who wish to make a pathway to top American universities.
You will begin by taking general education classes such as English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities. This is the case whether you are attending a community college or a 4-year university. However, students benefit from lower tuition rates by taking general education classes at the cheapest community colleges in USA for international students. In addition to general education classes, students also take prerequisite classes related to their major as well as some elective classes.
Some of the transfer majors in community colleges in America for international students are-
- Business
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Economics & Finance
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Psychology
- Communication
- Art & Design
- Music
- Performing Arts
Career-Focused Associate Degrees or Certificates
Community colleges also offer career-focused degrees to prepare graduates for employment. These degrees typically take up to 2 years to complete and are recognized for entry level positions in the employment market. Students may be interested in:
| Business Management | Criminal Justice |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity | Music Technology and Sound Engineering |
| Computer game development | Physical Therapist Assistant |
| Computer network operations | Nursing |
| Computer programming | Health Information Management |
| Graphic design | Energy Management |
| Culinary arts | Aviation Maintenance Technician |
| Dental hygiene | Automotive Technology |
| Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management | Construction Technology |
| Early Childhood Education | Manufacturing Technology |
Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.)
Associate of Arts is a 2-year postsecondary degree program offering general education and career-related skills to students. It requires the completion of 60 credits for 2 years. The A.A. degree comes with various specializations such as:-
- Liberal Arts
- Digital Photography
- History
- Psychology
- Business
- Fine Arts
- Literature, etc.
Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)
Associate of Science is a 2-year degree program that can be pursued before a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in any Community College in USA. It is offered both as a major and minor program with areas of focus being:
- Computer Science
- Education
- Maths Education
- Audio Technology and Sound Production
- Baking and Pastry Making
- Business Administration
- Cardiovascular Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Associate of Applied Science is yet another 2-year associate-level degree offered by US colleges offering technical skills in the field of applied and technical sciences. AAS degree is offered in the following areas of specialization:-
- Accounting
- Biomedical Equipment Technology
- Business Leadership
- Computer Information Systems - Information Technology
- Cybersecurity
- Respiratory Care Technology
- Web and Mobile Application Development
These programs are offered in both online and offline/campus modes.
Eligibility for Community Colleges in USA
To be admitted to a community college in USA, you need to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria.
Visa
To study at a community college in the USA, you need to apply for an F1 US student visa after being accepted to your school of choice. An F1 student visa requires you to keep up with the minimum course load required for full-time courses. Additionally, it allows international students to work part-time (on campus) for up to twenty hours a week. It also leaves room for optional practical training (OPT) for one year after graduation.
Entrance Exams
Community colleges are more relaxed than universities when it comes to admission standards. The first thing a student will need to do is submit their high school transcript, or equivalent, translated into English. Most community colleges in the USA don’t require SAT/ACT scores; instead, they have students pass admissions tests, sometimes called placement tests, which check Maths and English abilities.
Documents
- Official or certified copies of official transcripts
- At least 1 Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the academic intuition
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Proof of Financial Stability
- Copy of Passport
Pros and Cons of Community College
Just like every otherworldly phenomenon, Community Colleges in USA are accompanied by several merits and demerits, such as:
Pros:
- Mode of Study: Associate Degrees are offered in both online and offline modes. Therefore, depending on the candidates, community colleges offer a flexible mode of study
- Lower Costs: The average cost of pursuing studies in a community college is way lower than that of universities in USA. The online mode of study further reduces the study cost as there are no accommodation expenses and campus fees.
- Flexibility: Community Colleges in USA offer flexible course timings as there are morning, afternoon, evening, and even night shifts. Therefore, United States Community Colleges are the best for candidates having a time constraint
- Future Aspect: An Associate Degree opens up a way to get a 4-year bachelor’s degree with prior knowledge of the field. This allows students to dig deep into the course structure and gain experience
- Courses: Community Colleges offer Associate degrees across a wide variety of specializations such as Fire Science, Culinary Arts, Medium and Heavy Traffic technology, Photography, etc.
Cons:
- Lack of College Life: With a majority of studies being conducted online, Community Colleges lack the personal touch and college life, generally expected of a college student.
- No extra-curricular activities: Community college students do not get an opportunity to take part in sports competitions or cultural programs.
- Limited Curriculum: The duration of an Associate Degree is only 2 years. Therefore, it offers a course of education that is half as compared to a regular 4-year degree in the US.
- Limited funding: Community College students can get financial help but this financial aid is limited to a small number
- Transferability: It must be noted that not all Associate Degree programs are transferable to 4-year Bachelor’s Degree programs. Therefore, candidates must perform thorough research before enrolling in a field of study in a Community College.
Scope and Salary for Students from US Community Colleges
Candidates do have an option to directly opt for a job in USA after completing an Associate degree without studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in USA. The average annual income of such candidates ranges from USD 56,000 to USD 63,000, which is equivalent to INR 46.3 Lakhs to INR 52 Lakhs. The following are some of the popular job profiles available to Community College graduates in USA:
| Job Profile | Annual Salary (USD) | Equivalent Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Office Manager | 42,000 | 34.73 Lakhs |
| Practice Administrator | 59,300 | 49 Lakhs |
| Systems Administrator | 63,000 | 52.09 Lakhs |
| Project Manager | 68,700 | 56.8 Lakhs |
| Operations Manager | 61,700 | 51.02 Lakhs |
| Software Engineer | 79,400 | 65.65 Lakhs |
| Executive Chef | 69,800 | 57.72 Lakhs |
| Executive Assistant | 62,800 | 51.93 Lakhs |
| Information Technology (IT) Manager | 78,000 | 64.5 Lakhs |
Community colleges in the USA present a golden opportunity for students worldwide to access quality education at an affordable cost. These institutions not only offer a diverse range of programs but also provide a supportive and inclusive environment that nurtures academic and personal growth
FAQs
Ques. What is a community college?
Ans. A community college is a type of educational institution that offers two-year programs, known as associate degrees, as well as certificate programs and workforce training, often at a lower cost than four-year universities.
Ques. How much does it cost to attend a community college?
Ans. The cost varies depending on factors like residency status and whether the college is public or private. On average, tuition and fees for in-state students at public community colleges are significantly lower than at four-year universities.
Ques. Can I transfer credits earned at a community college to a four-year university?
Ans. Yes, many community colleges have transfer agreements with four-year institutions, allowing students to transfer credits earned in their associate degree programs toward a bachelor's degree at a university.
Ques. Do community colleges offer online classes?
Ans.Yes, most community colleges offer online classes, providing flexibility for students who may have work or family commitments.
Ques. What types of programs are available at community colleges?
Ans. Community colleges offer a wide range of programs including liberal arts, sciences, healthcare, business, technology, and vocational programs such as welding, automotive repair, and culinary arts.
Ques. Do community colleges offer financial aid?
Ans. Yes, community colleges typically offer financial aid options including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs to help students cover the cost of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.
Ques. What are the class sizes like at community colleges?
Ans. Class sizes at community colleges tend to be smaller compared to four-year universities, which can provide students with more individualized attention from professors.
Ques. Can I get support services like tutoring at a community college?
Ans. Yes, most community colleges offer support services such as tutoring, academic advising, counseling, and career services to help students succeed academically and professionally.
Ques. Are there extracurricular activities and clubs at community colleges?
Ans. Yes, many community colleges have student clubs, organizations, and intramural sports teams that provide opportunities for socializing, leadership development, and pursuing interests outside of the classroom.
Ques. Do community colleges offer job placement assistance?
Ans. Yes, many community colleges have career centers that provide job placement assistance, resume writing workshops, career fairs, and networking opportunities to help students find employment after graduation.
Ques. Can I get a professional certification through a community college?
Ans. Yes, many community colleges offer certificate programs that prepare students for specific careers such as medical assisting, computer programming, and HVAC technician.
Ques. Can I enroll in a community college if I haven't finished high school?
Ans. Some community colleges offer programs for high school students, such as dual enrollment or early college programs, allowing them to take college-level courses while still in high school. Additionally, some community colleges offer GED preparation programs for students who have not completed high school.
Ques. Do community colleges offer housing for students?
Ans. While some community colleges offer on-campus housing options, many do not. Students often live off-campus and commute to class, or they may choose to attend a community college closer to home.
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