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 degreesList of community colleges in the United States
# | State | College | Cost / year |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Washington | Seattle Central College | 3,779 USD |
2 | Washington | Olympic College | 4,361 USD |
3 | Washington | Highline College | 4,576 USD |
4 | Washington | Green River Community College | 4,584 USD |
5 | Washington | Pierce College | 4,590 USD |
6 | Washington | South Seattle College | 4,717 USD |
7 | Washington | Centralia College | 4,991 USD |
8 | New York | Genesee Community College | 5,440 USD |
9 | California | Santa Monica College | 6,006 USD |
10 | Washington | Edmonds Community College | 6,093 USD |
11 | California | Sierra College | 6,214 USD |
12 | Iowa | Kirkwood Community College | 6,512 USD |
13 | California | Glendale Community College — California | 6,575 USD |
14 | California | Coastline Community College | 6,670 USD |
15 | Washington | Shoreline Community College | 6,744 USD |
16 | California | Cypress College | 6,878 USD |
17 | California | El Camino College and Language Academy | 6,880 USD |
18 | Washington | Skagit Valley College | 6,884 USD |
19 | Ohio | Sinclair Community College | 7,356 USD |
Extended list of community colleges
# | State | College | Cost / year |
---|---|---|---|
20 | Maryland | Howard Community College (HCC) | 7,440 USD |
21 | California | Cabrillo College | 7,462 USD |
22 | California | MiraCosta College | 7,512 USD |
23 | California | Citrus College | 7,646 USD |
24 | California | Golden West College | 7,804 USD |
25 | California | Orange Coast College | 7,836 USD |
26 | Arizona | Chandler-Gilbert Community College | 7,854 USD |
27 | Arizona | South Mountain Community College | 7,854 USD |
28 | Arizona | Mesa Community College | 7,854 USD |
29 | Colorado | Otero Junior College | 7,886 USD |
30 | California | Las Positas College | 7,932 USD |
31 | California | Chaffey College | 8,012 USD |
32 | California | East Los Angeles College | 8,110 USD |
33 | California | Los Angeles Pierce College | 8,110 USD |
34 | California | Los Angeles Trade-Technical College | 8,110 USD |
35 | California | Los Angeles Valley College | 8,110 USD |
36 | California | Los Angeles City College | 8,110 USD |
37 | Illinois | Danville Area Community College | 8,325 USD |
38 | California | Santa Ana College | 8,360 USD |
39 | California | College of the Desert | 8,615 USD |
40 | New Jersey | Bergen Community College | 8,659 USD |
41 | California | Palomar College | 8,898 USD |
42 | Washington | Clark College | 9,258 USD |
43 | Florida | Valencia College | 9,383 USD |
44 | Oregon | Portland Community College | 9,418 USD |
45 | California | from Anza College | 9,526 USD |
46 | Washington | Bellevue College | 9,571 USD |
47 | Pennsylvania | HACC — Central Pennsylvania's Community College | 9,585 USD |
48 | Massachusetts | Bunker Hill Community College | 9,648 USD |
49 | Arizona | Arizona Western College | 9,770 USD |
50 | Wyoming | Western Wyoming Community College | 9,870 USD |
51 | Nevada | Truckee Meadows Community College | 9,956 USD |
52 | Washington | Whatcom Community College | 10,095 USD |
53 | Wyoming | Northwest College | 10,210 USD |
54 | New York | Fulton-Montgomery Community College | 10,370 USD |
55 | California | Long Beach City College | 10,676 USD |
56 | Nevada | College of Southern Nevada (CSN) | 10,842 USD |
57 | Virginia | Northern Virginia Community College | 11,693 USD |
58 | Montana | Flathead Valley Community College | 12,159 USD |
59 | Massachusetts | Middlesex Community College | 12,170 USD |
60 | Illinois | College of Lake County | 12,530 USD |
61 | Oregon | Chemeketa Community College | 12,600 USD |
62 | California | City College of San Francisco | 12,792 USD |
63 | Pennsylvania | Community College of Philadelphia | 13,896 USD |
64 | New York | College of Staten Island of the City University of New York | 15,440 USD |
65 | New York | Alfred State | 15,477 USD |
66 | Rhode island | New England Institute of Technology | 30,000 USD |
67 | New York | Manhattanville College | 39,570 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.
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:
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 universitiesAcademic 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 specializations | Average salary[9] / year |
---|---|
Fire protection | 62,177 USD |
Nursing | 51,461 USD |
Allied health specialties | 45,226 USD |
Criminal justice and work in prisons | 43,986 USD |
Humanities and natural sciences | 34,707 USD |
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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