1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Insurance
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat

Advantages of Community Colleges for International Students

Advantages of Community Colleges for International Students

Sep 28, 2021

By Emily Gifford

Education in the United States can be very competitive and expensive, but it does not have to be! In the early 1900s, the U.S. established a system of community colleges or “junior colleges” that offer associate degree programs. They were designed to give more people access to a higher education. Many of these schools started with a focus on technical education — and some still focus on technical and hands-on degrees — but many have also expanded to include a variety of degrees in diverse academic fields. 

For international students, community colleges are a great option because they usually have smaller class sizes than many universities, making it easier to adjust to the American education system, form friendships, and meet instructors. Professors and instructors at community colleges do not have to produce as many research papers as university professors do, which then gives them more time to focus on individual student support and guidance.

Community colleges often have a free-application process and an “open-access admission” policy, which allows all qualified students to enroll. They receive funding from federal and local taxes, grants, and donations, and as a result the tuition is usually more affordable than most four-year universities. For international students, community colleges are a great way to lower overall costs of earning a bachelor’s degree.


Starting with an associate’s degree creates one more level of education and an additional opportunity for international students to apply for optional practical training (OPT), which, if accepted, allows a student to work for one year in the U.S. in a field related to their degree. OPT gives international students a temporary employment authorization in a job or volunteer work directly related to the student’s area of study. 

Community colleges have two-year degrees that prepare students directly for jobs in the work-force and also two-year degrees that are designed to then transfer to complete an undergraduate bachelor’s degree at a university. Most community colleges have partnerships with nearby universities to create an easy academic transfer pathway for students who plan to continue their education. This is often referred to as the “2+2 process,” where students study for two years at a community college and then complete their bachelor’s degree with two more years at a university. Having an experience in two different schools can give an international student the opportunity to study in two different locations in the U.S. and form two networks of connections that they can leverage when looking for a job after graduation.

In the United States, many degrees and colleges require introductory courses in a variety of subjects — these courses are general education classes (also known as “gen eds”). Students are usually required to complete these general education classes before they can begin their specific degree studies or concentration. Beginning the first two year of a bachelor’s degree at a community college, students can save money on tuition by taking these “gen eds” at a lower cost. 


Community colleges offer some flexibility in the admission’s process, many do not require SAT testing, and if an international student's language skills are not academic ready, there are options for taking English as a Second Language courses or English-language training before beginning a degree program. In many cases, international students who transfer after their associate’s degree will have an easier admission process to a four-year college than they would have had as an incoming first-year student.  

You won’t find community colleges at the top of a “Best National Universities” list, but you will find a welcoming environment to study, learn American culture, and save money!

Follow us:
Written by

Emily Gifford


Emily Gifford is the coordinator of International Student Services at SUNY Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. She works with international students from all over the world as they apply to MVCC, helps them adjust to U.S. college life, and guides them through their academic journey. 

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Studying English at the University of Texas at Austin
Studying English at the University of Texas at Austin
Main image for the article titled NYU Through Malene's Eyes: A Day in the Life of an International Student and the Key Role of TOEFL
NYU Through Malene's Eyes: A Day in the Life of an International Student and the Key Role of TOEFL
Main image for the article titled Rei Nakatani: Finding the best place to study aboard
Rei Nakatani: Finding the best place to study aboard
Main image for the article titled Sayed Omar Hasan: From Bangladesh to LACC
Sayed Omar Hasan: From Bangladesh to LACC
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Mohawk Valley Community College State University of New York (SUNY)

Mohawk Valley Community College

$5,000—$10,000 Year

Certificate/Short Term Undergraduate 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact
American Collegiate Live

American Collegiate Live

$10,000 — $15,000 Semester

Undergraduate Bachelor Degree
Contact

Featured Programs

Foothill College / De Anza College

Typical cost per Year: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree Summer English Programs
Learn More

Mission College

Typical cost per Semester: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Summer English Programs
Learn More

Truckee Meadows Community College

Typical cost per Semester: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree Certificate/Short Term English Programs
Learn More

Related Stories

Understanding the American Education System

Main image for the article titled Understanding the American Education System
Canada’s Education System

Main image for the article titled Canada’s Education System

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for The Michigan English Test for Higher Education Admissions in the U.S.

The Michigan English Test for Higher Education Admissions in the U.S.

Prove your English and achieve your goals with the Michigan English Test – widely recognized and available on your own schedule at a test center or from home.

Read more
Partner service logo for Kaplan International Languages

Kaplan International Languages

Kaplan International Languages is one of the world’s largest and most diverse education providers, we’ve been helping students to achieve outstanding language results for over 80 years. Students can learn English, French, and German.

Read more
Partner service logo for CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. Make your move easy with a student furniture rental package from CORT. Flexible lease terms. Delivered before you arrive. Starting at $99 per month.* *with a 12-month lease

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

You are an excellent guide to know the study process and have a successful results. Thanks for everything!

Alberto Luzardo Venezuela

It has informed me about the career advantage one will have from studying in the USA.

Tshegofatso Modiga South Africa

Study in USA helped me to figure out how I could to achieve my educational goals, where do I need to start and which educational institutions suit me best. It was very helpful information and support.

Kamila Bizhanova Kazakhstan

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Insurance
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.