Community colleges, which offer two-year programs, award graduates with an associate’s degree. This credential equips individuals to pursue junior positions or continue their education at universities.

Types of community colleges

Approximately 35% of all students in the United States attend community colleges[1]. Nationwide, there are approximately 1050 community colleges. While many are publicly funded, private two-year institutions also exist. Community colleges are categorized as elementary (junior college), technical (technical college), and urban (city college).

The primary distinction between community colleges and universities lies in their emphasis on practical skills and quick adaptation to the job market. Colleges provide a practical approach, allowing for a quick integration into the workforce. The workload at two-year colleges is generally lighter than that of universities. Graduates successfully completing community college programs can seamlessly transition to four-year colleges or universities.

Community colleges offer programs leading to an associate degree, along with intensive English programs. One-year programs in various fields are also available, at the end of which a certificate is issued.

More about: Academic degrees

List of community colleges in the United States

#StateCollegeCost / year
1WashingtonSeattle Central College3,779 USD
2WashingtonOlympic College4,361 USD
3WashingtonHighline College4,576 USD
4WashingtonGreen River Community College4,584 USD
5WashingtonPierce College4,590 USD
6WashingtonSouth Seattle College4,717 USD
7WashingtonCentralia College4,991 USD
8New YorkGenesee Community College5,440 USD
9CaliforniaSanta Monica College6,006 USD
10WashingtonEdmonds Community College6,093 USD
11CaliforniaSierra College6,214 USD
12IowaKirkwood Community College6,512 USD
13CaliforniaGlendale Community College — California6,575 USD
14CaliforniaCoastline Community College6,670 USD
15WashingtonShoreline Community College6,744 USD
16CaliforniaCypress College6,878 USD
17CaliforniaEl Camino College and Language Academy6,880 USD
18WashingtonSkagit Valley College6,884 USD
19OhioSinclair Community College7,356 USD
Extended list of community colleges
#StateCollegeCost / year
20MarylandHoward Community College (HCC)7,440 USD
21CaliforniaCabrillo College7,462 USD
22CaliforniaMiraCosta College7,512 USD
23CaliforniaCitrus College7,646 USD
24CaliforniaGolden West College7,804 USD
25CaliforniaOrange Coast College7,836 USD
26ArizonaChandler-Gilbert Community College7,854 USD
27ArizonaSouth Mountain Community College7,854 USD
28ArizonaMesa Community College7,854 USD
29ColoradoOtero Junior College7,886 USD
30CaliforniaLas Positas College7,932 USD
31CaliforniaChaffey College8,012 USD
32CaliforniaEast Los Angeles College8,110 USD
33CaliforniaLos Angeles Pierce College8,110 USD
34CaliforniaLos Angeles Trade-Technical College8,110 USD
35CaliforniaLos Angeles Valley College8,110 USD
36CaliforniaLos Angeles City College8,110 USD
37IllinoisDanville Area Community College8,325 USD
38CaliforniaSanta Ana College8,360 USD
39CaliforniaCollege of the Desert8,615 USD
40New JerseyBergen Community College8,659 USD
41CaliforniaPalomar College8,898 USD
42WashingtonClark College9,258 USD
43FloridaValencia College9,383 USD
44OregonPortland Community College9,418 USD
45Californiafrom Anza College9,526 USD
46WashingtonBellevue College9,571 USD
47PennsylvaniaHACC — Central Pennsylvania's Community College9,585 USD
48MassachusettsBunker Hill Community College9,648 USD
49ArizonaArizona Western College9,770 USD
50WyomingWestern Wyoming Community College9,870 USD
51NevadaTruckee Meadows Community College9,956 USD
52WashingtonWhatcom Community College10,095 USD
53WyomingNorthwest College10,210 USD
54New YorkFulton-Montgomery Community College10,370 USD
55CaliforniaLong Beach City College10,676 USD
56NevadaCollege of Southern Nevada (CSN)10,842 USD
57VirginiaNorthern Virginia Community College11,693 USD
58MontanaFlathead Valley Community College12,159 USD
59MassachusettsMiddlesex Community College12,170 USD
60IllinoisCollege of Lake County12,530 USD
61OregonChemeketa Community College12,600 USD
62CaliforniaCity College of San Francisco12,792 USD
63PennsylvaniaCommunity College of Philadelphia13,896 USD
64New YorkCollege of Staten Island of the City University of New York15,440 USD
65New YorkAlfred State15,477 USD
66Rhode islandNew England Institute of Technology30,000 USD
67New YorkManhattanville College39,570 USD

Advantages of studying at community colleges

  • Community college tuition is often two to three times less than that of universities[2]. After community college, you can seamlessly continue your education towards earning a bachelor's degree. Within a span of two years, potential savings can reach up to 40,000 USD.
  • The reduced workload at community colleges can facilitate a smoother transition for foreign students into their new academic environment. It also creates the opportunity to take on part-time employment or attend language courses.
  • Transitioning directly to the second or third year of university from a community college is a common path. Notably, half of all bachelor's degree recipients in the United States initially attended a two-year college[3].
  • Admission requirements are often less stringent at community colleges. Some institutions may not even require SAT or ACT scores. Given the smaller competition, admissions can be secured with a lower level of preparedness.
  • For international students, the admission age for community colleges is often as early as 16. Universities typically admit applicants from the age of 18.
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Disadvantages of studying at community colleges

  • Perceived lower educational standards at community colleges compared to universities often stem from lower teacher salaries, which can result in more talented educators opting for university positions.
  • Transferring from a community college to a prestigious university can pose challenges. However, transfers to partner universities typically cause fewer issues. These institutions are generally respectable, but may still hold a secondary status.
  • Graduates with associate's degrees tend to earn less on average than bachelor's degree holders — 56,304 USD compared to 47,708 USD per year[4].
  • Community colleges are relatively small institutions, often accommodating up to 5646 students[5]. Their event offerings are fewer in comparison to universities and four-year colleges, potentially leading to less exciting student life.
  • Studying at community colleges can sometimes carry a non-prestigious stigma. The media occasionally downplays their significance due to the relative ease of admission and lack of intense competition for enrollment[6].

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.

More about: USA universities
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Academic calendar and credit system at community colleges

The academic year at community colleges begins in September and ends in June. Schedules are structured into two 15-week semesters, culminating in tests and exams at the end of each term. During the summer, prospective associates go on vacation.

Earning an associate’s degree requires the accumulation of 60 credits, equivalent to about two years of study. One credit is equal to one academic hour per week for one semester.

Arrangement and infrastructure at community colleges

Numerous community colleges offer dorms, providing options for international students to reside on campus, with host families, or in rented apartments. The campuses of these two-year institutions are outfitted with many educational facilities, including libraries, art centers, museums, cafeterias, shops, shopping centers, gyms, sports fields, and stadiums. Moreover, technical colleges often feature well-equipped laboratories.

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].

Associate’s degree specializationsAverage salary[9] / year
Fire protection62,177 USD
Nursing51,461 USD
Allied health specialties45,226 USD
Criminal justice and work in prisons43,986 USD
Humanities and natural sciences34,707 USD
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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.

Interesting facts about community colleges

  • Approximately 80% of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency workers in the United States received their education from community colleges.
  • Iḷisaġvik College holds the distinction of being the northernmost community college in the United States and the world. Situated in Alaska, this college is governed by a tribal council. Accessible only via sea transport due to its location on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, a remarkable composition made from a whale skull graces the entrance of the college.
  • On average, the cost of education at community colleges in the United States is 64% lower than that of universities or four-year colleges[2].
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