Study at a Community College

The American 2+2 system

An effective and more affordable way to study in the USA

Community Colleges are higher education institutions which initially deliver two-year post-secondary programs, comparable to French BTS or DUT degrees, which are called Associate Degrees.

But today, community colleges are primarily known for enabling students to transfer to university. Indeed, community colleges have agreements with partner universities to guarantee transfers for students who wish to do so through a credit transfer system. After spending two years at a community college, students can, depending on their grades, transfer to the university of their choice to complete two additional years of study and obtain a bachelor's degree. This is known as the 2+2 system.

This transfer system is now very common and according to a recent study, almost one in two students who hold a Bachelor's degree in the United States began their studies in a Community College.

The advantages of a Community College

• criteriaadmissionMore(academic and linguistic)
• Reduced tuition fees(between $7,000and $10,000 tuition fees)
• Smaller classes and a better teacher-to-student ratio
• is availableAnto advise you on the best course choices to take to facilitate your transfer.

Some examples of Community Colleges

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College is located 45 minutes from Los Angeles, has over 19,000 students on its campus and is ranked No. 1 among American Community Colleges.

Located near some of the country's top universities—UCLA, Caltech, University of California, Berkeley—this institution ensures you receive the best possible preparation for transferring to an American university. Studying at Santa Barbara City College can even guarantee you a transfer offer from certain Californian universities!

The Santa Barbara City College Campus offers numerous facilities that will allow you to make the most of student life: library, multimedia center, sports halls, tennis courts, music room with symphony orchestra, photo and film production studios… Whatever your passion, you will be able to practice it within this Community College.

Fun Fact: Santa Barbara City College counts among its ranks famous alumni: Katy Perry, David Crosby, James Kiffe…

Diablo Valley Community College

Diablo Valley Community College is located in Pleasant Hill, in the San Francisco Bay Area. DVC is what is known as a "feeder" college for the University of California, Berkeley; California State University East Bay; and St. Mary's College; in other words, it is one of the community colleges that sends the most students to these institutions for transfers. Diablo Valley College, in general, is among the top 5 in California for the quality of its college transfers.

The DVC Campus has all the necessary infrastructure for student life: university residence, restaurant, cafes, sports facilities, everything is there! All in a residential and secure environment.