2-Year Colleges With the Most International Students
Four-year schools aren't the only option.
International students might decide to attend a two-year college in the U.S., sometimes called a community college, for a variety of reasons, such as more affordable tuition and available support for English-language learners. Though international student growth in the U.S. has slowed -- increasing by only 1.5% in the 2017-2018 school year, the lowest rate since 2005-2006 -- some community colleges still boast robust attendance numbers. These 10 colleges and college systems -- classified as associate's colleges -- reported the largest numbers of international students in the 2017-2018 academic year, according to data from the Institute of International Education. Community colleges are known for associate degree and certificate programs, though some do offer bachelor's degrees.
Foothill College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 1,621
Location: Los Altos Hills, California
Fact: In addition to associate degrees and other certificates, Foothill College also offers a single bachelor's program. According to the school's website, 23 students graduated in the 2017-2018 school year with a bachelor's of science in dental hygiene.
More about Foothill College.
Green River College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 1,646
Location: Auburn, Washington
Fact: Green River offers on-campus housing, with its Campus Corner Apartments capable of accommodating nearly 350 students, according to the college's website.
More about Green River College.
Miami Dade College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 1,678
Location: Miami
Fact: According to its website, Miami Dade College offers more than 300 academic programs.
More about Miami Dade College.
Northern Virginia Community College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 1,681
Location: Annandale, Virginia
Fact: NOVA, as it's commonly called, has six campuses, with its Annandale location just 14 miles southwest of the nation's capital.
More about Northern Virginia Community College.
Montgomery College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 1,877
Location: Rockville, Maryland
Fact: Montgomery College offers honors programs for both part- and full-time students, according to its website.
More about Montgomery College.
Valencia College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 1,901
Location: Orlando, Florida
Fact: Students who graduate from Valencia College with an associate degree are guaranteed admission as transfer students to the University of Central Florida, according to the Valencia College website. Students applying to more selective UCF programs, such as engineering or computer science, may have to meet additional admissions requirements.
More about Valencia College.
De Anza College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 2,718
Location: Cupertino, California
Fact: According to the De Anza College website, the school is one of the top institutions in the state that sends transfer students to four-year institutions. Top transfer choices include the University of California--Berkeley, University of California--Davis, University of California--San Diego and the University of California--Los Angeles.
More about De Anza College.
Santa Monica College
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 3,354
Location: Santa Monica, California
Fact: The college offers a support program for students interested in majors and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, according to its website. The Science Research Initiative program includes counseling, workshops and peer mentoring for students.
More about Santa Monica College.
Lone Star College System
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 3,366
Location: The Woodlands, Texas
Fact: The Lone Star College System has seven full campuses and 12 satellite campuses and university centers located in the North Houston metro area.
More about Lone Star College System.
Houston Community College System
Number of international students in 2017-2018: 6,118
Location: Houston
Fact: According to the school's website, the top public universities in Texas that HCC students transferred to in fall 2016 included the University of Houston, the University of Houston--Downtown and Texas A&M University--College Station.
More about Houston Community College.
Learn more about community colleges.
Find out some of the ways two-year colleges support international students, and discover methods international students can use to research these institutions. Join the conversation by following U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter.
Community colleges that enroll the most international students
-- Houston Community College System: 6,118
-- Lone Star College System: 3,366
-- Santa Monica College: 3,354
-- De Anza College: 2,718
-- Valencia College: 1,901
-- Montgomery College: 1,877
-- Northern Virginia Community College: 1,681
-- Miami-Dade College: 1,678
-- Green River College: 1,646
-- Foothill College: 1,621
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