What is a community college?
Community colleges are 2-year public colleges in the U.S. that offers the first 2 years of a bachelor's degree. Students can earn an Associate's Degree​ at a community college while paying lower tuition fees. They then have the option to transfer to universities across the U.S. to complete year 3 and 4 to obtain a bachelor's degree. ​This is commonly known as the University Transfer Degree.
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Entry Requirement
International students are eligible to enter U.S. community colleges once they have completed high school in their home country or attained the minimum age of 16 or 17 in some states. SAT or ACT is normally not needed as part of community college admission. Most community colleges require proof of English proficiency such as IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo.
Easier Admission Process to U.S. Universities
Community college students often get easier entry to some top universities in the U.S. Many traditional universities have partnerships or agreements with community colleges that allow community college students to be automatically admitted into the university once they meet the transfer requirements, such as completing pre-requisite coursework and satisfactory grade point average. Many universities also offer preferential entry to community college students from the same state.
Multiple intakes:
Jan, Mar, June, Sept
International student community
Internship and post-study work opportunities
Transfer to universities across the U.S.
Exempt from IELTS or TOEFL
*condiitions apply
Scholarships available
Save up to 80% of tuition fees in year 1 and 2
Flexible entry
- SAT, ACT not required
Small Class Size
20 - 25 students
What can I study at a community college?
University Transfer Degree
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The 2+2 University Transfer Degree is highly sought after by internationals students as a pathway to top American universities. It is a good stepping stone for international students to transition into the U.S. education system while taking advantage of the full American cultural experience.
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Students begin by taking general education classes such as English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Humanities. This is the case whether students are attending a community college or a 4-year university. However, students benefit from lower tuition rates taking general education classes at a community college. In addition to general education classes, students also take prerequisite classes related to their major as well as some electives classes.
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Popular transfer majors:
Business
Engineering
Computer Science
Mathematics
Economics & Finance
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
Health Sciences
Psychology
Communication
Art & Design
Music
Performing Arts
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Career-focused Associate Degrees or Certificates
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Community colleges also offer career-focused degrees to prepare graduates for employment. These degrees typically take up to 2 years to complete and are recognised for entry level positions in the employment market.
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Students may be interested in:
Business Management
Cybersecurity
Computer Game Development
Computer Network Operations
Computer Programming
Graphic Design
Culinary Arts
Dental Hygiene
Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
Early Childhood Education
Criminal Justice
Music Technology and Sound Engineering
Physical Therapist Assistant
Nursing
Health Information Management
Energy Management
Aviation Maintenance Technician
Automotive Technology
Construction Technology
Drafting
Flight Technology
Manufacturing Technology
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Transfer to over 4,000 universities across the U.S.
Students can transfer to over 4,000 universities across the U.S. from a community college, including some of the top universities and ivy leagues.
How much does it cost to attend a community college?
The average tuition fees is between USD7,000 to USD10,000 a year for international students
Completing your first 2 years at a community college can save you USD90,000 or more in a 4-year bachelor degree.
Choosing the right community college can be a daunting task for many international students.
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Edu Experts is a professional education consultancy that assists students with further study options around the world. We provide free consultation and assistance on admission requirements, application process, intakes, scholarships, accommodation options to student visas, flights and airport pick-up.
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Here, we have put together a list of some of the best community colleges in the U.S. for your reference. Feel free to browse through the colleges and contact us for more information or assistance.
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