Community colleges or junior colleges are two year colleges that primarily cater for local students. It is schools for students who want to stay in their home area while pursuing higher education. Students attending a local community college can live at home and thus save a lot on housing and living costs. Community colleges also cost less than universities so it is a good option for students with limited economical means. They also attract students who don’t have the grades to get accepted at university and adults who want to take evening classes while working.

The most common programs at community colleges are certificates, diplomas and two year Associate Degree’s. Taking an Associate Degree is much quicker and cheaper than taking a Bachelor’s Degree at a university but on the other hand it does not have the same status. But if you have an Associate Degree you can transfer to a university to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in two more years.

Community Colleges don’t only only have american students. According to statistics from AACC about one fifth of all international undergraduate students in the US study at Community College. That is almost 100 000 international students. Half of these students choose a college in one of these five states: California, Texas, Florida, Washington state or New York state.

So why would an international student want to study at a community college? There are a number of good reasons as you will see below.

We can help you to choose and apply to Community Colleges in the US. Fill out an information request to get help! 

Six reasons to study at Community College

1. It is cheaper than going to a university: higher education is expensive in the US. The tuition fees at Community Colleges are more affordable than going to university. On average the cost for Community College is less than half of taking an equivalent program at a public university. And private universities are usually even pricier.
2. It is easier to get accepted: Community Colleges use an open admission policy which means that anyone with a high school diploma or GED can attend. However, you will usually have to prove that your English level is good enough to attend and there might also be entrance exams in other subjects like Mathematics to determine which of the college’s courses that you can take. In California and Minnesota students don’t even need to have finished high school to be accepted at Community College. However, if you did not finish high school I would recommend taking a look at Seattle Central College’s fantastic High School Completion Plus program that gives you a High School Diploma from Washington State AND an Associate Degree in only two years!
3. Classes are small: while universities often give lectures to hundreds of students at a time Community Colleges normally work with much smaller classes. This will enable you to ask more questions and get more support from your teacher. While university professors combine research with teaching the professors at Community College usually focus 100% on teaching.
4. Take a Bachelor’s Degree at a lower cost: do you want to take a Bachelor in the US? Consider taking the first two years at a community college. It will be less expensive and it will be easier to get accepted. If you maintain good grades you can then transfer to a university and start directly on the third year. So you do the first two years at the Community College and the last two years at the University. In the end you get the same degree as if you would have done all four years at the university.
5. Try the American college experience: if you want a Gap Year after high school or if you don’t know what you want to study you can take one or two semesters at a Community College and experience College life in the US. Many colleges allow for study abroad semesters where you can pick the courses that you are interested in and try different subjects. Another option is to sign up for a short program like a Certificate or Diploma course.
6. Work in the US for one year on OPT: if you have completed a two year Associate Degree in an american Community College federal law allows you to stay and work in the US for one year on OPT – Optional Practical Training. The job has to be directly related to the major you have taken. You have to apply for OPT during the last semester of your Associate Degree. For more information see the colleges’ homepages.

Seattle Central College has created a pedagogic video to explain community college like this:https://www.youtube.com/embed/N1Nw-PISKI8  

Who should not study at Community College?

While studying at Community College can be a good option for many international students it is not right for everyone. If you match one or more of the criteria below you might be better of looking for other options.

• If you have already studied at university level: if you have already studied for a couple of years at university most community colleges will not be able to offer you classes at a higher level and community college might feel like a step backwards for you.
• If you want to top up your CV: if you only want to take a semester or two abroad to top up your CV you will be better of studying at a university and preferably taking a degree. Studying at a Community College will give you valuable study abroad experience but the status is lower than a university, not least in the eyes of American employers.
• Top students: if you are an ambitious student with very high grades a Community College might not be the right option for you and you might be better off applying for a high ranking university and trying to get a scholarship.

 

How to choose a college?

Studying at a Community College can be a great experience but all colleges are not suitable for international students. So do some research and look for the following criteria:

• How many students does the college have? To enjoy college life and be able to choose the subjects you like you should make sure that the college you are applying for isn’t too small.
• Do they have international students? Colleges with many international students will most likely have a better support system in place for international students and you can get to know more students in the same situation.
• Do they have agreements with good universities? If you consider taking a Bachelor’s Degree in the US you should apply for a Community College that has transfer agreements with good universities. Then you can transfer to the university and count all your credits from the Community College. Good transfer agreements are usually a sign of a good college.
• Does the school have a good location? Life outside of the classroom is a big part of studying abroad so make sure that you choose a school with an attractive location. However always form your own opinion. What is attractive to others might not be attractive to you. Some people like warm weather and beaches, others like big cities or smaller places close to nature.

You should also look at reviews, student housing, tuition fees, the subjects that the college offers etc. For more information see our article on how to choose a school abroad.

Let us for example look at Seattle Central College using the criteria above:

• They have 10000 students so they will have plenty of courses and events to offer you as an international student.
• They have 1500 international students, i.e. 15% which is a good number. This ensures that they are used to international students.
• They have agreements with over 20 universities, so you can begin your studies at Seattle Central, and transfer all the credits from your Associate Degree to a number of universities throughout the USA and start directly on year three there.
• The school definitely has a good location right in the middle of Seattle. Surrounded by water and nestled between two mountain ranges, Seattle is a breathtaking city that is home to companies such as Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, Starbucks, and many more.

Another good example is Valencia College in Orlando, Florida:

• They have 70000 students and over 100 programs so they match a big university.
• They also have 1500 internationella students and are ranked top 13 among all American Community Colleges for number of internationella students.
• Valencia graduates with an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree are guaranteed admission to one of Florida’s 12 public universities. Valencia also has a pathway program with the University of Central Florida and they even have students that transfer to Ivy League schools.
• Valencia College have five campuses around Orlando in the middle of Florida. Here you can enjoy a warm climate and lot of activities such as theme parks, sport events, concerts etc.

So based on this Seattle Central and Valencia College are definitely be a good options for international students. However everyone has different preferences. Below you will find a list of 50 popular community colleges. 

Student Housing

Unlike US universities very few Community Colleges have their own student housing on campus. So you have to be prepared to find your own accommodation while you study there. But the schools can often advice you of private residences and landlords nearby.

One exception is Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania. Here you can live on campus in a lively student town close to New York and Philadelphia. 

Visa for college in the US

When you get accepted to a Community College they will send you an I-20 document that you use to apply for a student visa. Read more in our guide Student visa to the US. 

Insurance for studying in the US

It is vital to have a good insurance when you study in the US. Some colleges offer their own insurance, however their insurance is not mandatory there are usually better options. Read more about Study Abroad insurances. 

How to apply?

To apply for a Community College you usually have to submit the following:

• The college’s application form
• Their application fee
• Your high school diploma translated to English
• A copy of your passport
• Proof that you can finance your studies
• Proof that you have the required English level, for example a TOEFL or IELTS test.

Sometimes you also need to submit other documents like a personal letter. Each school has their own admission guidelines so make sure to check the application procedures of the college you are interested in.

We can help you to choose and apply to Community Colleges in the US. Fill out an information request to get help! 

The Community College Initiative Program Established in 2007, the program started as a small and focused effort to boost international education and opportunities. As VOA News further asserts, “The program provides job training for people who otherwise could not attend college. They learn skills their countries need, like agriculture and health care.” Additionally, vocational educators from around the world are able to take advantage of US professional development training and instruction. With just 84 participants in 2007, the number of current participants is now over 500, as students have the option of attending any of the 37 participating community colleges across the country.

With 37 unique locations and programs, the destination for students most significantly depends on each learner’s desired academic pathway. Once the school is chosen, international students are able to gain an array of intellectual, social, academic, and cultural benefits. Students are provided with on-campus dormitory housing or off-campus hosting families, ensuring that international students are exposed to unique cultural and experienced-based interactions. With both classes and informal social venues, students are able to gain an insight into America, the culture, and the people.

List of 10 Tuition-Free Universities in the USA For International Students

We have mentioned ten such universities in the United States of America for international tuition fee-free students.

Berea College

Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college. Founded in 1855, it stands out from other postsecondary institutions by providing free education to students and being the first mixed-race university in the southern United States.

Every student who attends Kentucky’s Berea College gets a full-tuition scholarship worth more than $25,000. Berea also supports students with other costs, for example, food, room, and board, by giving a work-study program.

Alice Lloyd College

Alice Lloyd College, located in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, is a four-year liberal arts college. It began at Caney Junior College in 1923, co-founded by journalist Alice Spencer Geddes Lloyd and June Buchanan.

Students also get a free laptop to make use of when they are in class. Alicia Lloyd College offers the opportunity to different majors in a range of subjects. Typically, the most popular majors are business, manufacturing, family studies, and human development.

Webb Institute

The Webb Institute is a private undergraduate engineering school located in Glen Cove, New York, on Long Island. Each graduate of the Webb Institute obtains a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Admission or entrance candidates receive full tuition for four years.

Furthermore, the Princeton Review ranks Webb Institute as one of the Best Value Colleges in the United States. The school is also recognised for providing a high-notch engineering education and full-tuition scholarships to anyone who attends. Students live in a mansion since they attend school and are paid internships for extra money.

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College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is a Christian, non-tuition liberal-arts college in Point Lookout, Missouri. The college of the Ozarks is a conservative Christian school that happily discourages student debt. Also, the school has an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church.

The institution has been nicknamed ‘Hard work U’ because students work 15 hours per week to be qualified for tuition-free. Also, the School of the Ozarks favours applicants who are considered financially in need.

They also offer over 30 academic majors in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs. Popular majors in this college include business, teaching, education and criminal justice.

Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia is a conservatory that offers courses for a performance diploma, a bachelor degree in music, a master’s degree in music opera or a certificate of professional studies in opera. It offers full-tuition scholarships to everyone who gains admission.

The college is quite particular in regards to applicants, accepting only 160 new students once a year. People who do get in can expect to receive an excellent education from one of the best music conservatories in the world.

City University of New York (CUNY)

The City University of New York is the public university system of the city of New York. It is the most extensive urban university system in the United States. Founded in 1961, CUNY includes 24 campuses: eleven senior colleges, seven community colleges, and undergraduate honours college and seven postgraduate institutions.

The City University of New York offers full-tuition scholarships to students who join their Teacher Academy. Every student who enrols is eligible. Students also are given a full-time teaching position at a New York school upon graduation.

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U.S. Academies

The US Service Academies are among the tuition-free universities in the USA. There are five United States Academies. They are U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Students who attend any of these U.S. academies get full tuition-free. Additionally, they receive a monthly stipend in substitution for service. Although each program is different, most require applicants to receive a congressional nomination from their state congressional delegation.

Applicants also need to pass a physical fitness test and meet other requirements.

State of Washington Universities

The state of Washington universities makes a list of the tuition-free universities in the USA for international students. Both the University of Washington and Washington State University offers need-based programs that pay full-tuition expenses.

The programs are available to in-state residents who meet State Need Grant or Pell Grant requirements. Special scholarships can also be given to out-of-state students who need help covering the cost of tuition.

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering is a private undergraduate engineering college in Needham, Massachusetts. At one point, the school offered a complete tuition scholarship to anybody that attends. The institution has since reduced the scholarship policy by 50%.

Deep Springs College

Deep Springs College is a small, private liberal arts junior college on an isolated in Deep Springs Valley, forty miles from Bishop, California. It is an accredited two-year college that offers full scholarships per student, valued at around $50,000. This also makes them one of the tuition-free universities in the USA for international students.

With less than 30 students at a time, the university is one of the minor institutions of higher education in the United States.