Studying in the top private institutes in the USA can be expensive, especially for international applicants. However, there is a different segment of educational institutes, known as community colleges which are affordable and also provide quality education. Every year, a large number of students, domestic and international, apply for the various popular community colleges across the country. Undergraduate students who enroll in a community college earn their academic credits towards a bachelor’s degree and retain the rights to transfer their courses to a private university later on.
- According to educational statistics, one fifth of the total of international students come to study in community colleges in the USA.
- The annual cost of studying in USA for attending a community college can vary, but they usually range from 26,035 to 33,086 USD (~19.7-25.1 lakh INR).
- Most universities are situated around New York and California but some universities or colleges located in suburban or less traditional areas dominate when it comes to community colleges.
- Earning academic credits at a community college can help lower the costs of a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, the aspirant will find it easier to pursue further education in the USA after graduating from a community college.
Know more: US education system
What is a Community College in USA?
Community Colleges in USA are affordable two-year colleges located mainly in suburban areas which are attended by locals and often by international students. Students also have the option of staying somewhere nearby and attending college, saving them time. International students can avail on campus student housing in USA or rent apartments or houses nearby. Students can easily afford these community colleges, earn credits and then transfer those credits to a private university after 2 years in order to achieve a bachelor’s degree. The most pursued programs in the community colleges in USA for international students are diplomas and certification courses taking up two year associate degrees.
Why Study in Community Colleges in USA for International Students?
- One of the biggest reasons why students with limited economic means go for community colleges is that it is cheaper compared to private universities.
- The acceptance rate is quite high in these colleges, therefore most of the applicants get selected by these colleges.
- International students can also get a lot of global exposure by studying in community colleges due to the presence of diversity and experience of typical American college life.
- Credits earned at a community college can be beneficial since they can be transferred to other universities/colleges for further education.
- There are also online class options available in community colleges.
Fees of Cheapest Community Colleges in USA for International Students
The USA has a lot of community colleges that offer education to domestic as well as international aspirants at a low cost. Some of the least expensive community colleges for international students along with their annual tuition fees are given below:
| Community College | Annual Tuition Fees in USD |
|---|---|
| Oxnard Community College | 7,398 |
| Central Wyoming College | 10,980 |
| Bristol Community College | 9,962 |
| Lehman College | 14,880 |
| South Texas Community College | 7,830 |
| Greenfield Community College | 11,690 |
| West Valley College | 7,369 |
| The City University of New York | 17,800 |
| California State University | 8,300 |
| Brigham Young University | 11,350 |
| University of Minnesota | 12,600 |
| Arkansas State University | 13,000 |
| Minot State University | 6,800 |
| Trinity Valley Community College | 5,970 |
| Houston Community College | 3,756 |
Private University vs Community Colleges in USA
There are some noticeable differences between community colleges and private universities in the USA. The differences between community colleges and private universities are stated below.
- Program Span: Private universities directly admit students to a bachelor’s degree and the duration for that is 4 years. Community colleges do not offer bachelor degree programs, they allow students to take credits which they can use to enroll in a bachelor’s program later. Community colleges offer 2 year programs to the students. In private universities, the first two years known as freshman and sophomore years are dedicated to general education and they prepare the student for the real major they are intending to apply to for their junior and senior years. Students can do the same in a community college and transfer the credits to a bachelor’s program, which will be less expensive and affordable for the student.
- Campus Size: Usually, private universities operate on a much larger area with a vast campus to accomodate a large number of students. But in the case of community colleges, the campus size is lesser, since the number of attendees and faculty are also low. There are also lesser number of activities or facilities due to lesser number of students. The campuses are less spacious, which makes it easier for students and staff to navigate.
- Campus Housing or Dorms: In private universities, on campus housing is available for both domestic and international students. Therefore, most international students apply for on-campus housing due to the easy commute. In the case of community colleges, however, dorms or residential housing are not always available. In a lot of instances on campus housing options are not available in community colleges for students. So in these cases, international students have to opt for off-campus housing. The students therefore live in nearby apartments or other housing options and sometimes even with a local host family.
- Cost of Education: Private universities can be very expensive with hefty fees which can sometimes be reduced significantly with the help of fee waivers, and scholarships to study in USA. Since the fees of community colleges are already low compared to private universities, no such fee waivers are offered to international applicants. Students can mostly afford community colleges easily. Education in community colleges definitely requires financing but it is not as much as a four year degree of a private university.
Admission Requirements for Community Colleges in USA for International Students
Community colleges in USA for international students usually have a much more flexible admissions process compared to private universities. Students can choose to send in their standardized test scores though they are not a necessary requirement when it comes to admission. SAT/ACT scores are accepted and they can strengthen the application of an applicant. The students who get admitted to the community colleges listed below usually have a SAT score range of the following.
| Community Colleges | Admission Stats |
|---|---|
| Monroe College | SAT score- 1098-1113 |
| Lindenwood University | SAT score- 990-1180 ACT score- 19-25 |
| University of Akron | SAT score- 960-1220 ACT score- 19-26 |
| Western Michigan University | SAT score- 1010-1220 ACT score- 20-27 |
| Minnesota State University | ACT score- 19-24 |
| Indiana University- South Bend | SAT score- 930-1140 ACT score- 18-23 |
| University of Nebraska- Kearney | SAT score- 960-1110 ACT score- 19-26 |
| Truman State University | SAT score- 1080-1330 ACT score- 24-30 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | SAT score- 1030-1200 ACT score- 19-25 |
| Southern Illinois University- Carbondale | SAT score- 970-1345 ACT score- 20-26 |
| Coppin State University | SAT score- 820-970 ACT score- 17-22 |
| Murray State University | SAT score- 1020-1240 ACT score- 21-27 |
| California State University- Fresno | SAT score- 890-1110 ACT score- 16-21 |
| South Dakota State University | SAT score- 1000-1300 ACT score- 20-26 |
| Minnesota State University- Moorhead | ACT score- 19-24 |
Admission Process of Community Colleges in USA for International Students
The process of applying to a private university and community college in the US is almost the same. The applicant needs to get all the admission materials and immigration documents ready before applying to their desired college. To get admission into a community college in the US, the following documents are required.
- Application form of the college must be filled out with all the relevant details as required.
- The application fee of the college. Sometimes, the application fee can be waived upon request.
- High school diploma of the student along with the notarized english translation.
- Marksheet of the student, secondary and higher secondary report cards with all the scores evaluated by a certified agency.
- Standardized test scores like SAT, ACT though they are optional during the current period in most colleges and universities.
- A copy of the passport of the student.
- Financial documentation containing statements from the bank or financial affidavit from a sponsor declaring financial support.
- English proficiency test scores like TOEFl, IELTS, Duolingo with the minimum criteria fulfilled.
- Medical records and health insurance.
- LOR,
- SOP
- CV/Resume etc.
The admission requirements of the targeted college or university must be checked to ensure all the documents needed. Each college has its own set of requirements, therefore, they must be checked thoroughly before sending in an application.
Application Deadlines of Community Colleges in USA for International Students
Some community colleges in USA accept students throughout the year in the terms of Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Some colleges also accept students in just one or two admission intake seasons. Following are some of the popular colleges and their admission deadlines:
| Colleges | Admission Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Monroe College | Fall- August 15 Winter- December 15 Spring- February 15 Summer- April 15 |
| Lindenwood University | Fall- June 1 Winter- October 1 Spring- October 1 Summer- April 1 |
| University of Akron | Fall- May 1 Spring- October 1 Summer- March 1 |
| Western Michigan University | Fall- April 1 Winter- August 1 Spring- January 15 Summer- January 15 |
| Indiana University- South Bend | Fall- June 1 Spring- October 1 Summer- April 1 |
| University of Nebraska- Kearney | Fall- May 15 Spring- October 15 Summer- February 15 |
| Truman State University | Fall- June 1 Spring- November 1 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Fall- June 8 Spring- October 1 Summer- June 1 |
| Southern Illinois University | Fall- Beginning October 12 (rolling) Spring- Beginning January 6 (rolling) Summer- Beginning June 1 (rolling) |
| Coppin State University | Rolling admissions, throughout the year |
| Murray State University | Fall- Beginning June 19 (rolling) Spring- Beginning November 15 (rolling) |
| California State University- Fresno | Fall- June 1 Spring- November 1 |
| South Dakota State University | Fall- June 15 Spring- November 15 |
| Minnesota State University | Fall- June 30 Spring- November 15 |
Therefore, it can be concluded that community colleges in USA for international students not only offer affordable education for international aspirants, but a lot of them also provide top notch education with appreciable campus facilities and additional benefits. For students who want to pursue education in the US but cannot due to their limited budget, community colleges come as a saviour since they prepare them for the first two years of college life before transferring them to a private university for further education. For these reasons, every year more and more applicants are applying to community colleges in USA for international students.
FAQ
Why should an international student choose a community college in the USA?
There are various reasons for which an international student can opt for a community college instead of a private university in the USA. Community colleges are more affordable compared to private universities. They have a flexible admission procedure, and most applicants end up getting accepted. The duration of the program is just 2 years compared to private universities with their 4 year course.The class sizes are small. The community colleges also have transfer agreements with private institutes which will help the students transfer their credits.
What can an international student do after graduating from a community college in the USA?
There are a number of options for international students after graduating from a community college in the USA. The student can continue pursuing their degree at a private university after transferring the credits they earned from a community college or they can even look for part time jobs before resuming their education. Another option is to fly back home though it is not a desirable option for most students. Hence most international students prefer staying in the US to pursue higher education.
How many international students get admitted to community colleges in the USA?
Statistically, about one fifth of the total international students in the USA consist of community college go-ers. There are over 100,000 international students enrolled currently in community colleges in the US. Due to various reasons like affordability, high acceptance rate and other reasons a large chunk of the international population are drawn to community colleges in the country.
How can an international student apply to a community college in the USA?
The procedure of applying to a community college is the same as applying to a private university in the USA. The aspirant needs to submit the online college application along with the application fee, high school grade sheets with their english translations, english proficiency test scores, standardized test scores, passport copy, medical insurance, financial documentation and other additional documents as required.
Can an international student work in the USA after getting a degree from a community college there?
If an international student has completed a two year associate degree at an American community college, the government allows them to seek employment in the country for one year on Optional Practical training. There is a condition which must be followed. The job must be directly related to the field the student was pursuing. For getting employment under OPT, the candidate has to apply for it in the last semester of their associate degree.
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