Community colleges

Admission criteria for community colleges

Entry requirements for two-year colleges are generally more attainable than those for universities. There are three key documents needed for admission:

• High school diploma with grade transcript
• TOEFL / IELTS certificate
• SAT scores

SAT scores may be optional for some colleges, with a high school diploma being sufficient for admission. Demonstrating English proficiency is a crucial requirement for international students. That being said, this requirement often has flexibility — students can secure admission even with average TOEFL results, with some colleges admitting students with as low as 55 points. Many colleges accept 100% of their applicants, further underscoring the accessibility of admission. Prospective students can enroll at a community college from the age of 16. The application process is conducted online through the website of the selected institution.

Transferring from community college to university

In theory, graduates with an associate’s degree from a 2-year college can join any American university for the third year — even Ivy League institutions. However, practically speaking, transferring to prestigious universities presents significant challenges. For instance, Harvard accepts fewer than 1% of transfer applicants^[7]. Enrolling at universities of a lower ranking is more feasible.

Some community colleges offer Guaranteed Admission or Dual Admission. Notably, the City University of New York has six such colleges, and the State University of New York has around three dozen. These programs enable direct college-to-university transfers through dual or guaranteed admissions.

More frequently, institutions implement a credit offset agreement — Articulation Agreement. Often, one college maintains such agreements with multiple American universities. For instance, the renowned American Academy of Dramatic Arts awards associate’s degrees. Subsequently, graduates can transition to universities and colleges to pursue a bachelor's degree. The Academy cooperates with St. John's University, Antioch University, Hunter College, and Oklahoma City University.

It is advisable to choose a transfer university early on, ideally at the start of your community college studies. Study the criteria of the university and strive to meet them. Requirements typically include:

• GPA of at least 3.5 for reputable universities
• Course selection aligned with the intended bachelor's program
• TOEFL certificate — B2 level and above (from 65 points)
• SAT/ACT scores — some universities with partner programs may waive this requirement

As a general rule, the more prestigious the university, the more stringent the requirements. Always refer to official university websites for precise requirements.

Employment prospects after community college

Associate’s degrees, though valuable, may not yield the same career prospects as a bachelor's degree. Graduates with an associate's degree tend to earn an average annual salary of 52,260 USD, while those with a bachelor's degree typically earn 74,464 USD^[8]. However, the income potential for community college graduates varies significantly depending on their field of specialization. For instance, medical professionals with an associate’s degree, such as nurses, can expect to start with an annual salary of 44,558 USD — a figure not substantially less than that of bachelor's degree holders who invested more in their education. However, in the long run, bachelor's degree holders often experience more robust salary growth compared to those with associate's degrees^[4].

Famous alumni of community colleges

Many famous actors, athletes, and even scientists began their educational journey at two-year colleges.

• The College of Charleston, the oldest community college in the United States, boasts alumni such as actors Orlando Jones, Eric Avari, Thomas Gibson, and the architect renowned for the Washington Monument, Robert Mills.
• Juliet Junior College counts among its graduates several notable football players, along with John Cornelius Houbolt, a prominent figure in the Apollo space program.
• George Lucas, Tom Hanks, and Clint Eastwood also graduated from two-year colleges.