From all over the world, foreign scholars arrive in the United States to avail themselves of the high standards of American educational facilities. The California Community Colleges are accepting increasing numbers of foreign students as the advantages of beginning ones' educational career at this level become apparent. Advantages include smaller classes, lower tuition costs, easier entrance requirements, flexibility of class schedules, orientation to American college, accessible faculty and staff, and a comprehensive education program. The community college provides the first half, or general education requirements towards a baccalaureate degree. Admission requirements are generally easier at the community college.
Tuition is considerably less.
Career programs prepare students to enter the work force directly from a two year school in fields such as computer technology, nursing, medical technology, travel and tourism, or basic accounting. When transferring from a community college in the same field of study, students with A.A. or A.S. degrees can expect to be accepted by state colleges and universities as third year students. Beginning at a community college allows you the flexibility to try different courses and, with counseling, select the institution for the baccalaureate degree. Class size at the community college is much smaller than at the university. In California, where there are 107 community colleges, there are agreements between the community colleges and eight University of California campuses, and between community colleges and the California State University, which has 22 campuses.