Did you know you can get a degree from universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley for less than half the cost?! The 2+2 = Bachelor’s Degree path saves you a ton of money. You earn your first two years at a community college and are guaranteed admission at some of the country’s top schools to finish your last two years. You earn the same degrees as if you had completed all four years at the same university.
Keep reading to find out if this is a good path for you!
What is a community college?
A community college, sometimes called a junior college or associate degree college, is a post-secondary school where you can earn a 2+2 bachelor’s degree, vocational certificates, or associate degrees or attend English language training.
It can be very difficult to gain admission to a University in the United States. However, community colleges have open enrollment, which means they have minimal requirements. They were created to be accessible to as many people as possible.
Benefits of Community Colleges:
Admission is open to everyone
Guaranteed transfers to top universities
Low Tuition
Top Professors
Small Class Size
Same Undergraduate Classes as Universities
Student Clubs
Sport Teams
Residence Halls
Study Abroad
And so much more
2+2 = Bachelor’s Degree
Community College 2 years + University 2 years = Bachelor’s Degree
Most community colleges have transfer agreements that guarantee you will be admitted to a university! You would take 2 years (60 units of classes at the community college) and then transfer to a university to earn your bachelor’s degree.
So how does the 2+2=Bachelor’s degree work? It’s not hard, but you have to take the correct classes. The good thing is that you have counselors at community colleges who will help you.
Steps to complete 2+2 = Bachelor’s Degree
Know Your End Goal
If your goal is to get a degree from a University of California (UC), such as UCLA or UC San Diego, then you must take classes that UCs will accept.
Whatever school you want a bachelor’s degree from, you must ensure they accept your classes. Again, you will have a community college counselor to help.
If you aim to improve your English language skills, consider enrolling in the community college’s English Language Training.
Major
There are classes that everyone takes, no matter what their major (or area of study, i.e., engineering vs. biology) is. But there are some classes you’ll take specifically for your major.
Sign Agreement
After your first year, you sign an agreement to guarantee your admission to a university.
Application
You officially apply to be admitted.
Within those first two years, you will have guidance from the community college counselor and the schools with which they have transfer agreements. They will ensure you take the correct classes, answer questions, and help you apply to the university.
Once you start at your new university, you complete the last two years of your bachelor’s program. When you graduate and receive your degree, it will not say you started at the community college. It will look exactly like the degrees of those who started as first-year students.
Guaranteed Admission for Transfer
Guaranteed admission is a great opportunity, as most universities are challenging to get into.
Many universities offer guaranteed admission to community college students. Community colleges have agreements with specific universities.
For example, Dallas College has transfer agreements with the University of Texas Arlington, The University of Texas at Austin, and many others. Most of their agreements are with universities in Texas.
Similar to California Community Colleges that have guaranteed transfer to UC Davis, UC Irvine, and many others.
The University of California, Irvine, has an admission rate of 25% and an average GPA of 4.2. However, the average GPA for transfer students is 3.77, and 93% of all transfer students admitted came from California Community Colleges.
Admission to Other Universities
But you don’t have to limit yourself to schools with transfer agreements. As a community college student, you can apply to any university.
Best Community Colleges for International Students
California and Texas are some of the most popular community colleges for international students. California is also one of the top states for international students attending private universities and public universities like the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego).
Community Colleges in California
There are 116 community colleges in California. But the most popular ones for international students are concentrated in two areas. Most are in Southern California and the Bay Area/Silicon Valley. If you are moving to California, it’s wise to move to those areas. They have a strong education system, a strong economy, inviting and diverse communities, and so much to see and do.
Southern California
Santa Monica College
Education
Santa Monica College is the #1 transfer college in California. No other college transfers more students to The University of California, the University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount, and California State Universities. You can earn one of 200+ degrees and certificates or just earn enough units to transfer to a university to complete your bachelor’s degree.
Location
It’s easy to fall in love with this school because of the vibrant campus and the location. Santa Monica is in Los Angeles, just minutes from the beach and Santa Monica Pier, with many restaurants and entertainment. Santa Monica is also home to major companies like Hulu, ORION, Lionsgate, Red Bull, and many others.
Housing
Santa Monica College does not have student housing. But you have several housing options close by.
Orange Coast College
Education
Orange Coast College is the #1 Orange County school to transfer students to The University of California, California State University, and other private schools. Choose from one of the 135 degree programs.
The school feels more like a university because of the outstanding technology facilities, competitive crew team, and award-winning communication studies program. They are also the only community college with a sailing and seamanship program.
Location
Orange Coast College is in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa is a top cultural destination and minutes from the beach. Check out the symphony and the latest Broadway play, explore the many trendy restaurants, and shop at high-end shops. It is also home to many events like the annual fair, night markets similar to those in Asia, and free concerts in the parks.
Housing
Orange Coast College offers student housing in fully furnished apartment-style suites. You can also take advantage of the study rooms and student social areas.
Santa Barbara City College
Education
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, meaning you can learn in a small environment and get to know your professors. You can earn one of their 250 degrees and certificates or just enough units to transfer to a university.
Santa Barbara City College is one of the top schools in the State for transfer students. 40% of Santa Barbara City College students transfer to The University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara) as part of their guarantee transfer agreement.
Location
There aren’t too many campuses where you can see the beach from anywhere on campus. Santa Barbara City College is for you if you enjoy water sports or just walking along the beach!
The school is also close to downtown, museums, the zoo, and the many great restaurants in the area. Santa Barbara is a 2 hours drive from Los Angeles and a 5-hour drive from San Francisco.
Housing
Santa Barbara City College does not have student housing. However, there are privately owned residence halls with meal plans. There are also many other options close to the school. But you don’t have to worry about being within walking distance of the school because the city has a reliable bus system.
Pasadena Community College
Education
Choose from one of the 149 degrees and certificate programs. Whichever degree or certificate you choose, know you will be in good hands. The school has an award-winning international student program that ensures you have professionals guiding you.
As part of the international student program, you register before other students and classes fill up. The program also makes sure you adjust to your new life in America.
Pasadena Community College is also the #1 school in awarding associate degrees for transfer. The number one transfer schools are UCLA and UC San Diego. Cal Poly Pomona and UCI are tied for second place, and California State University Fullerton is third.
Location
Pasadena is in LA County and just 10 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. It is the home to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, top museums, Cal Tech, and restaurants. Although LA is a big city, you will be close to the mountains and excellent hiking trails.
Housing
Pasadena City College does not have residence halls. But you have many options within walking distance to school or a short bus ride. You can live in an apartment or house with roommates or find a family to host you.
Irvine Valley College
Education
You can earn one of the 159 degrees and certificate. The school has modern facilities and professors who often also teach at UCI. Students are very happy, as 92% of first-time students return for a second year.
IVC transfers more students to The University of California than any other college in Orange County.
Location
The City of Irvine is in Orange County. It is about 10 miles from Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, CA. Irvine is known as the safest city in America. It also has more than 17,000 businesses that range from manufacturing to software and scientific and medical research.
Housing
Irvine Valley College does not have on-campus residence halls. But you have many options to choose from. Irvine has many apartments, condominiums, and houses to choose from.
El Camino College
Education
El Camino offers Meta-Majors in behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Creative Arts, Language, Composition & Journalism, Industry & Technology, and Health & Community Wellness. The meta-majors allow you to explore careers in one of these areas and earn credits even before you select a major.
You can also take classes in the Intensive English Program if you want to improve your English skills.
El Camino transfers more students to Cal State Dominguez Hills than any other community college. Compared to other community colleges, they rank #2 in transfer to Loyola Marymount University, #3 to other California State Universities, and #4 to The University of Southern California.
Location
El Camino is in Torrence, California in Los Angeles. It is right on the coast and next to famous beaches like Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beach. If you are a sports fan, you are 15 minutes from a soccer stadium, SoFi Stadium is 20 minutes away, and 30 minutes from where the Los Angeles Lakers play.
Housing
You have many options for housing even though the school doesn’t have residence halls.
Glendale Community College
You can choose from one of their many degree programs or the Credit ESL Bridge Program to strengthen your English Language skills. By the end of the program, you will be comfortable enough with your skills to take all your academic classes in English.
If you are a biology or biotechnology major, Glendale is for you! Glendale has the state’s most extensive science collaborative learning program and transfers more biology students to UCLA per capita than other colleges in LA.
You can also participate in hands-on research in microbiology and molecular biology. If you want adventure, join the Baja Program that travels to Baja, Mexico, to study the unique ecosystem. You can take anthropology, astronomy, biology, geology, or oceanography classes.
Because of the strong biology programs, it’s easy to understand why they transfer more biology majors to UCLA than any other college in LA. 58% transfer to California State University schools, and 19% to University of California schools.
Location
Glendale is a city at the center of Los Angeles County. It is north of Los Angeles and east of Hollywood. Many major companies have offices there, including Walt Disney Imagineering, DreamWorks, etc.
Housing
Glendale Community College does not have on-campus residence halls. But there are many options in the area.
Bay Area
De Anza College
Education
You can earn one of their 90 associate degrees or just enough units to transfer to a university. Some of the strongest and most popular majors for international students are Biological, Health and Environment Sciences, Business Administration and Marketing, Broadcasting (film and TV), and Computer Information Systems.
57% of students transferred to California State University schools, and 34% transferred to the University of California. Most students transfer to San Jose State, San Diego State, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State, and UC Davis.
Location
De Anza is right in the middle of Silicon Valley. It is surrounded by tech startups, 12 miles from Stanford University, and just south of San Francisco. The Bay Area has excellent nature for outdoor lovers, great restaurants, and entertainment.
Housing
De Anza College does not have residence halls for students. There are apartments across the street, or you can use your free student bus pass and live a little farther out.
Diablo Valley College
Education
Do you dream of working at a top company like Salesforce, Twitter, and others? Through the school’s Learning Community Program, you can gain hands-on work experience while also earning credit toward your degree! The school helps students find internships with some of the best companies in Silicon Valley.
You can choose from one of the 250+ degree programs.
If you are interested in transferring to a university, you’ll be glad to know that 39% of students at Diablo transfer to The University of California while 44% to California State Universities.
Location
Diablo Valley College is in the Bay Area, East of San Francisco and Oakland.
Housing
This school does not offer on-campus residence halls. But there are apartments and homes for rent nearby. It’s common for students to rent with other students or to rent from a local family.
San Mateo County Community College
Canada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College are all part of the San Mateo County Community Colleges.
They are one of the few community colleges in California to offer scholarships for international students. Awards range from $200 – $3,000 and can be a one-time gift, or you can receive the amount yearly. Competition is high, so write a strong scholarship personal statement to stand out.
You can study in their first-rate STEM program or choose from one of their 300+ degrees and certificates. As an international student, you get to register early for classes and get a spot before they fill up!
And one of the best perks of these schools is that they are in Silicon Valley! The schools can help you get an internship at one of the many startups and tech companies.
San Mateo County students transfer to the top universities of California, such as California State Universities and private colleges. The schools partner with over 140 that guarantee admission to their transfer students.
Location
These colleges are in Silicon Valley, right between San Francisco and San Jose.
Housing
There are no residence halls on campus, but many international students choose to rent rooms in the area or live with host families. Housing prices are very high in the Bay Area, and sometimes, living with families is cheaper.
Foothill College
One of the best reasons to attend Foothill is that they offer an internship program. Internships are a great way to learn from professionals and show them how hard you work. You could be taking classes and working at some of the best companies in Silicon Valley.
This is also one of the few community colleges where you can earn a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. But if that’s not what interests you, you can choose from one of their 122 degree and certificate programs.
42% of Foothill College students transfer to California State Universities and 38% to University of California schools.
Location
Los Altos Hills, California, is a town in Silicon Valley. It has an agricultural feel because of the town’s commitment to open space and natural beauty. A walking pathway connects the entire community.
It is a train ride to San Francisco seven miles from Stanford University.
Housing
There is no campus housing, but most international students choose to live with a host family. Host family options are usually cheaper than renting on your own. But if you choose to live on your own, you will have a lot of options in safe neighborhoods.
Peralta Community College
Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College make up Peralta Community Colleges.
Do you want to take courses at UC Berkeley? Well, Peralta students can take classes there in the summertime! Advisors from UC Berkeley also work with Peralta students to help you transfer to a university.
You can earn one of their 90+ degrees at any of the campuses. But each campus has programs they are especially strong in.
Berkeley City College – American Sign Language, Biotechnology, and Multimedia.
College of Alameda – Unique programs in aviation, maintenance technology, apparel design, automotive technology, and several English language programs.
Laney College – Journalism, Culinary Arts, Mathematics, Machine Technology, and Ethnic Studies.
Merritt College – Community Social Service, Registered Nursing, Child Development, Nutrition and Dietetics, Environmental Studies and Landscape Horticulture.
43% of Peralta students transfer to California State University schools and 35% to the University of California. But each campus has its transfer rates.
Berkeley City College
33%CSU
52% UC
College of Alameda
43% CSU
35% UC
Laney College
49% CSU
25% UC
Merritt College
55% CSU
11% UC
Location
All Peralta Community Colleges are in the Bay Area in the East Bay. The Bay Area public transportation system connects all of these colleges.
Berkeley City College is in downtown Berkeley and a couple blocks from UC Berkeley.
College of Alameda is on an island in the East Bay. It is next to Oakland and just across the bridge from San Francisco.
Laney College and Merritt College are in Oakland, the largest city in the East Bay.
Housing
Peralta schools do not currently have student residence halls. However, there are plans to build student housing in Alameda. But even without student housing, there are many options in the Bay Area.
Texas Community Colleges
Lone Star College System
Lone Star has seven campuses throughout the Houston area. You can choose from one of the 100 degree and English language programs.
The Academic ESOL program is designed to help you improve your language skills in your academic classes and the workplace.
15% of Lone Star students transfer to the University of Houston, 12.9% to Texas A&M, and 12.8% to Sam Houston State University.
Location
Houston, Texas, is one of the biggest cities in the United States, with a population of 2,303,878. There are many restaurants, shops, and entertainment. If you like sports, you’ll be happy to hear that Houston has five professional teams (football, baseball, soccer (2), and basketball).
Housing
None of the campuses offer residence halls. But you can rent a room near the campus.
Houston Community College System
Houston Community College System has 21 campuses around Houston. The most popular majors are Life & Natural Sciences, Business, and Liberal Arts & Humanities. You can choose from one of their 90+ degrees or earn a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management.
Dallas College
Dallas College has seven campuses throughout the city. Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland can be found throughout the city.
You can take classes to earn a degree or transfer to a university. And if you need to brush up on your English language skills, this is the place to be.
Location
Dallas, Texas, is one of the biggest cities in the United States. It is home to some of the biggest companies, such as Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. The biggest employers include Lockheed Martin, JPMorgan Chase, and Texas Instruments.
Dallas is also a big city with big city amenities. You will have plenty to do and see when you live in Dallas. There are many restaurants, shopping, museums, an aquarium, and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Housing
Dallas Colleges has no residence halls, but you can rent an apartment, room, or house close to your campus.
Residence Halls
Do Community Colleges Have Residence Halls?
Some community colleges have residence halls for students, but not all do. Students who don’t go to schools with residence halls rent rooms or apartments nearby.
English Language Programs
Do you want to improve your English language skills? There is no better way to do it than at the community colleges.
Or maybe your TOEFL scores need to be higher. Community colleges and universities have minimum English Language Test Scores to admit international students. Don’t let a low score keep you from coming to The United States. The best way to improve your language skills is to learn it here!
Some community colleges offer language training programs, and others offer courses that count toward a degree. There are programs for beginners and advanced learners.
Some programs are as short as one week, and others are multi-years.
Vocation Certificates
Vocational certificates can teach you skills for a specific job. You can earn a certificate in many fields, including web design, cosmetology, truck driving, unmanned aerial systems piloting (drones), etc.
Certificates are great if you want to enter a field immediately because it only takes a few months compared to years if you earn a degree.
They usually cost less than a degree. Community colleges are typically the cheapest option. Some private schools offer costly certificates.
But certificates are for specific jobs, so if you want to change your career, you may have to return to school and start over. But if you have a degree, you can change careers without returning to school.
Many of these certificates are for jobs in high demand, like drone piloting, computer game programming, international business, and manufacturing technology.
Aerial Systems Piloting Certificate
You can choose from these classes (10 – 11 units ) to earn an Uncrewed Aerial Systems Piloting Certificate.
In less than a year, you could work with drones in many fields, including cinematography, marine biology, public safety, or search and rescue.
Benefits of Vocational Certificates
- Takes months to earn vs. years to get a degree
- Can start working sooner then
- Cost a fraction of the cost of a degree
Drawbacks of Vocational Certificates
- You may earn less with a certificate than with a degree
- A certificate is only for a specific job
- Certificates from private schools may cost more than a degree
- There are private vocational schools where you can earn a certificate. Sometimes, they get a bad reputation because they don’t consistently deliver what they promise.
- Classes cannot always be transferred to other schools
Associate Degrees
Two-year degrees are called associate degrees. If you are considering earning an associate’s degree, a community college is the best place. They will have the cheapest programs. You can complete your associate’s degree or apply the classes toward a bachelor’s degree.
2 year associate degree +2 years at university = Bachelor’s Degree
You can earn a certificate or associate’s degree in many fields. Your area of study is called a major. If you are studying engineering, then you are an engineering major.
California Community Colleges offer over 100 areas of study. Here is a list of some of the most common areas of study offered at community colleges.
Is it OK to just have an associate’s degree?
An associate’s degree is better than not having a degree. But it is not as good as having a bachelor’s. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum for high-paying jobs in the United States.
Benefits of an Associate Degree
- Cheaper than a bachelor’s degree
- Shorter time to earn (2 years associate vs. 4 years bachelor’s)
- Can start working sooner than bachelor’s degree
Drawbacks of an Associate Degree
- High-paying jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree
- Future job advancement may require a bachelor’s degree
You can earn an associate degree in over 100+ fields or majors. Here is a list of some of the most popular ones.
Cost of Community College
One of your most significant expenses will be the cost of living. The United States is an amazing, wonderful country with lots to see and do. And the more desirable places have the highest cost of living. The cost of living can account for half or even two-thirds of your total cost.
Costs at community colleges vary all over the country. Even if they are in the same state, they will vary widely. City College of San Diego, for example, costs $46,956 per year, while Victor Valley College is $32,404 and Santa Monica Community College is $29,000, even though all three are in California.
| Annual Cost | Orange Coast College | Los Angeles City College |
| International Student Tuition, health, service, and enrollment fee | $11,090 | $9,902 |
| Room & Board (bedroom and food) | $13,000 | $11,614 |
| Books, supplies etc. | $1,400 | $446 |
| Medical Insurance | $1,980 | $1,484 |
| Total for One Year | $27,470 | $23,000 |
The chart below gives you an idea of how much the cost varies by state. You will also have books, medical insurance, school fees, etc. to consider.
To get a student visa, you must prove you have at least two years’ worth of funding. The amount will differ depending on the school you want to attend.
Also, remember that the average cost of living on campus is just the average. Sometimes, living on campus is more expensive. You may find a room or apartment at a much cheaper rate. If the average cost to live on campus is unavailable (N/A), it may be because those community colleges have no residence halls.
Cost by State
Community College Tuition By State
| State | Average Out-of-State Tuition | Average Cost to Live-on campus |
| Tennessee | $19,970 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $18,010 | $26,970 |
| Kentucky | $17,910 | N/A |
| Vermont | $16,010 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $15,820 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $15,120 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $15,030 | $21,680 |
| Utah | $14,920 | N/A |
| Virginia | $14,150 | $22,880 |
| Illinois | $13,110 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $12,540 | N/A |
| Maryland | $12,470 | $21,900 |
| Nevada | $12,200 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $12,100 | $18,000 |
| Alabama | $11,830 | $17,180 |
| Wyoming | $11,530 | $16,300 |
| West Virginia | $11,480 | $19,750 |
| Delaware | $11,440 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $10,940 | $18,280 |
| Florida | $10,690 | $22,770 |
| Montana | $10,610 | $17,170 |
| Indiana | $10,480 | N/A |
| Colorado | $10,430 | $21,450 |
| New York | $10,420 | $23,210 |
| Oregon | $10,220 | $20,150 |
| Georgia | $10,020 | $16,870 |
| North Carolina | $9,990 | N/A |
| California | $9,970 | $16,670 |
| Hawaii | $9,830 | N/A |
| Idaho | $9,670 | $17,650 |
| New Jersey | $9,550 | N/A |
| Ohio | $9,260 | $20,580 |
| Texas | $9,110 | $17,640 |
| Michigan | $9,050 | $18,380 |
| South Dakota | $8,480 | $24,400 |
| Washington | $8,430 | $20,140 |
| Arizona | $8,130 | $18,960 |
| Iowa | $8,030 | $20,070 |
| Missouri | $7,960 | $16,750 |
| Louisiana | $7,950 | $23,320 |
| Maine | $7,920 | $20,340 |
| Wisconsin | $7,690 | $20,400 |
| New Mexico | $7,320 | $16,080 |
| North Dakota | $7,260 | $20,100 |
| Minnesota | $7,060 | $20,230 |
| Mississippi | $6,830 | $12,950 |
| Arkansas | $5,690 | $16,920 |
| Kansas | $5,670 | $16,640 |
| Alaska | $5,370 | $23,630 |
| Nebraska | $4,640 | $16,840 |
How to reduce expenses?
Once you are accepted to the school, you will receive the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) I-20 form with the annual cost of the school listed. You must prove you have two years’ worth to qualify for a student visa.
But there is a way to reduce that amount. If you plan to live with relatives who will cover the cost of housing and food, it is possible to have that reduced from the total. Have your relatives write a letter stating they will sponsor you and include it in your visa paperwork.
At Orange Coast College, that would be a reduction of $13,000 per year! Now, you are down to $14,470 for one year of schooling. So in this situation, you would have to prove you have $14,470 (year 1) +$14,470 (year 2) = $28,940.
You can also reduce the cost of books, supplies, etc., but that can’t be reduced from the $28,940 you must prove you have it. The cost can be reduced by buying used versions of books. Some community colleges also offer courses that don’t require purchasing books or supplies.
| Annual Cost | Orange Coast College |
| International Student Tuition, health, service, and enrollment fee | $11,090 |
| Room & Board (bedroom and food) | $13,000 |
| Books, supplies etc. | $1,400 |
| Medical Insurance | $1,980 |
| Total for One Year | $27,470 |
How do I apply to community college?
Anyone can attend a community college! Every school has its application and process. But most require the student to complete secondary school by the time they start at the community college, a student visa, and the ability to pay the fees.
