Direction: US Community Colleges

After several years of decline, the number of international students seeking a US community college education is on the rise again. According to NAFSA’s economic analysis for 2022/23 there were 52,622 international students studying at a US community college, compared with 49,099 in the 2021/22 academic year, a seven per cent increase. However, this is nowhere near the enrolment peak of 2016/17 when there were 96,472 international students enrolled in the community college sector.

At the time of writing, 2023/24 enrolment data was yet to be published, but IIE’s Spring 2024 Snapshot on International Educational Exchange, which focusses on in-person student mobility to and from the US, revealed 61 per cent of community colleges documented an increase in international student applications for the current 2024/25 academic year, pointing to continued growth.

Allan E. Goodman, CEO of IIE, publisher of the US Open Doors report, highlighted increased opportunity within the US community college space at this year’s NAFSA Association of International Educators Annual Conference and EXPO, and a stand-alone session chaired by Simpled , a leading international student recruitment tour company, highlighted renewed focus on the recruitment, engagement, and retention of international students for these providers.

This sector of US post-secondary education has plenty to offer international students considering study abroad, including small, nurturing campuses with a real community feel. “As our name implies, we are very much focused on our community – that means, generally, smaller campuses and class sizes,” relates Alex Brown, Director, International Student Center at Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA. “Some of us are very large, and others very small, but overall, community colleges are more accessible due to not having 50,000 students on campus.” Fullerton has a student population of 17,000, including approx. 200 international students.

Most classes at Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA comprise a maximum of 40 students, relates Assistant Director, International Student Services & Cultural Engagement, Gladys Calderon, allowing for a more student-centred experience and a huge contrast to the much higher student-to-teacher ratio found in a mainstream university lecture hall, for example.

Catering for a smaller, community environment plays a part in the types of courses offered by community colleges which can be diverse and wide ranging. “Focusing on our community means that we create and tailor many programs that are unique to our regions and work with community members to help fill education gaps for workforce development,” notes Alex.

Having recently launched the first drone pilot apprenticeship in California, “We also offer options for theme park technology and technician studies. Of course, our location close to iconic theme parks like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm drive these programs, just like our location in Southern California drives the need for our programs in landscape design and horticulture,” he details.

Cerritos offers nearly 300 academic and career programs, says Gladys, as well as an accessible and affordable transfer pathway (2+2 plan for bachelor’s attainment). “We also offer a great selection of online courses, which students can complete fully online from their home countries,” says Gladys.

As well as associate (transfer) degrees, designed to allow community college students to seamlessly transfer credits from their associate’s degree into a four-year university, some colleges also offer bachelor’s degrees. “Currently we offer the most [bachelor’s degree programs] compared to other community colleges in the state,” notes International Recruiter Sandra Bonifield at Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA. However, the most popular programs with international students are the International High School Completion Program and Associate Transfer program, she adds.

With shifting economies, international students are increasingly looking for ways to maximize their spend while still having the option to study abroad. An international student can expect to pay far less for a community college education than at a four-year degree granting university. At Cerritos, for example, one full academic year will set students back around US$11,000. “Additionally, tuition is paid each semester after registration, so this allows students to better plan for paying tuition,” notes Gladys, plus international students do not pay an additional international student fee like they may pay at a University of California or private university, she adds.

Tuition at Bellevue College, which has welcomed international students for the last 15 years, is around US$12,000 per academic year, more than half the rate charged by universities in the state, where tuition can range anywhere between US$25,000 and US$45,000 per academic year, relates Sandra. Five per cent of its current 20,000-strong student body is international and numbers continue to increase post-Covid, she adds.

“For community college students, OPT is available when they complete a certificate of achievement (usually two to three semesters) or an associate degree (usually two years). OPT is exclusively for F1 visa international students; students don’t change their visa status.”

Sandy Kuntz, American Collegiate English, Grossmont College

Other positive community college attributes include all year-round intakes (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer), “easier” admissions requirements (no SATs, no essays, lower minimum requirements for English language proficiency) and good transfer options to US universities.

Indeed, transferring from a community college (with credits earned) to a four-year university or college is another plus, and gives international students the chance to explore different majors at a lower price-point before committing to the added expense of a university program. “As our role at the community college is also to serve as a transfer pathway, we naturally have very clear transfer options for students to move into both public and private schools,” continues Alex. “However, we also offer shorter certificate programs for those who are looking to level up in their profession, or perhaps exploring a career change and do not need/want to go back for a full degree.”

International students are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at a community college. “OPT is a way for international students to work for pay or to volunteer with a U.S. company for 12 months after completing their educational program,” points out Sandy Kuntz at American Collegiate English, Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA. “For community college students, OPT is available when they complete a certificate of achievement (usually two to three semesters) or an associate degree (usually two years). OPT is exclusively for F1 visa international students; students don’t change their visa status,” she adds.

According to contributors, nationalities that have shown a preference towards community college provision include Vietnamese and Indonesian. Sandra highlights affordability and transfer options as particular draw cards.

At Cerritos, top international student sources include India, Nepal, and the Philippines – which, notes Gladys, reflects nationalities within their local community. “We have a strong Indian and Nepalese community in our region with influential community advocates who are invested in the success of Cerritos College and who spread the word about our excellent programs with friends and family in their native countries.”

Alex reports strong representation from Vietnam. “Community colleges were a foreign concept to them a decade or more ago, but once their community began seeing the benefits and advantages that community college offers, students from Vietnam have applied in droves to attend and utilize the transfer pathway.” Beyond Vietnam, Alex notes strong growth from South Korea, South Asian countries, and Latin America.

Cerritos College is relatively new to international recruitment, relates Gladys, with just 85 internationals students enrolled for the fall 2024 term. However, the college recognizes the value of connecting with students abroad who may be looking for an affordable, high-quality alternative to US university, she says. “We are making the effort to work with agents, but the agent/school relationship can be a difficult one to maintain and few are very productive. Nonetheless, agents who are interested in partnering with Cerritos College can reach out to the International Student Services office for more details.”

Fullerton does not currently work with agents for commission, says Alex, but he hopes this will change in the future. “It would be extremely helpful, since we do not have the staff or budget to really do heavy recruitment trips like universities.” The US Department of State, via the EducationUSA network, has been very supportive of international recruitment efforts, and has begun pushing more community college information to education to agents, students, schools, and families around the world.

Bellevue is currently marketing the college through student fairs, agents, EducationUSA and as a member of a marketing association, notes Sandra. Since early this year, the college has also been visiting high schools overseas to promote its programming. She acknowledges that there is a growing awareness among agents as to what a US community college is and what it offers students. “Bellevue College partners with agents and, yes this number has grown, as more agents are aware of the benefit of community college education.”