COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES

See List of community colleges in the United States

1. General information 

American colleges offer multi-disciplinary training, and depending on the program level, the duration varies:

• Vocational certificate: 3 – 6 – 9 months;
• College diploma: 1 – 2 years;
• Advanced college diploma: 1 – 2 years;
• Associate Degree: 2 years.

Students who complete vocational certificates, college or advanced college programs can enter the workforce immediately, while those who finish an Associate Degree may transfer to a university and complete two additional years to earn a bachelor’s degree.

There are two types of institutions:

• Community College – public colleges funded by the government, offering lower tuition fees (about 5,000 – 14,000 USD per year) and lower admission requirements compared to universities (average academic performance). Many U.S. community colleges accept Vietnamese students who have completed grade 11, while most require completion of grade 12. 
• College – private colleges with tuition ranging from 10,000 – 20,000 USD per year depending on the school and the student’s chosen major.

Fields of study. Popular fields include business and management, social services and health, communications and information technology, design and arts, mechanics and construction, tourism and hospitality, real estate management, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, sports, and creative industries.

English and student support. Most vocational institutions have English centers to help international students prepare their language skills and provide additional support in transportation, academics, housing, emotional well-being, health, and more.

Accommodation. Students at vocational or college level are usually over 18 and may stay in homestay (10,000 – 12,000 – 14,000 USD per year) or rent shared housing with other students and cook for themselves (6,000 – 10,000 USD per year).

University transfer. All vocational institutions allow students to transfer to universities, and generally, only two more years of study are required to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Part-time work. Students may work 20 hours per week during the school term – usually in on-campus jobs; and full-time during summer or holidays. Common part-time jobs include hotel work, restaurants, retail shops, tutoring, factories, and suitable office positions, with hourly wages typically 6-8-10 USD.

Work after graduation. Community college graduates in the U.S. may stay for one year to work before they must return to their home country.

2. Notes for international students studying at college level 

International students wishing to study at the college level should consider the following:

1. Study pathway. After finishing grade 11 or 12 in home country, you may choose any program at a U.S. college depending on your academic performance.
2. Admission requirements for vocational colleges. Students who finish grade 11 or 12 with average-to-good academic performance and English equivalent to 46 PTE A or 65 TOEFL/ 5.5 IELTS.
3. Application documents. Include a high school diploma and transcript, or grade 10 and 11 transcripts if you have only finished grade 11, plus an English certificate if available, and a passport valid for the full duration of your studies in the U.S.
4. Start dates. Main intakes at colleges are January, April, July, and October each year. Application processing time is 2-4-6 weeks; visa processing takes one day. Students should submit their applications to Duc Anh EduConnect early, ideally 2-3 months before the intake, to avoid delays.

Support from Duc Anh EduConnect 

Duc Anh EduConnect offers comprehensive support throughout the entire study abroad journey. Our experienced team assists students with course and university selection, admission and scholarship applications, student visa assistance, accommodation arrangements, airport pick-up, and ongoing support while studying overseas.

Please CONTACT US for FREE consultation and application.