Studying in the United States can broaden any student’s educational prospects. After all, as the world’s third-strongest nation, a degree from the US can be an outstanding achievement in a student’s educational record.
Thus, an associate degree from a US-based university opens many possibilities. It also demonstrates to potential recruiters that you have the drive and self-control to complete the program, which can translate to a similar motivation in work or higher education. The United States already houses a variety of top universities known for their global standard education. Among these institutions, they offer excellent associate degrees to international students. Thus, if you’re interested in pursuing one, we have listed the institutions in the U.S. that offer associate degrees.
Top Schools Offering Associate Degrees in the U.S.
1. City University of New York
The first recommendation on our list is a global leader in quality education: the City University of New York. It traces its roots to 1847 and has now taken over the heart of NYC. Home to 25 colleges, this institution hosts one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse student populations in the United States.
Its component colleges were founded for varying reasons, but one of the most significant is to provide financially disadvantaged and immigrant students access to quality education. The mission persists to this day in the form of associate degree options, which are cost-effective compared to the usual four-year programs.
Besides affordable degrees, the university helps numerous students pay for their education through grants and scholarships. Those offers of financial support extend to over 160 courses, which include associate degrees in dental hygiene, engineering, and web development. Such financial support also applies to international students, who may qualify for more than 1,000 scholarships.
2. Santa Monica College
The following institution on our list of top schools offering associate degrees to international students is Santa Monica College in California. The institute is highly assessed in 15 different areas of research.
SMC offers a wide variety of associate degree programs. These many programs can be generalized into three types: arts (AA), science (AS), and transfer (ADT). Enrollees of these programs may specialize in accounting, architecture, broadcasting, business, cosmetology, and others.
If you’re interested in an associate degree from SMC, the tuition fee for one academic year amounts to more or less $11,ooo. While that seems much, the college offers up to $30,000 in scholarships for deserving and meritorious international students.
3. Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College, part of a trio of community colleges in LA, has spent decades training students to gain further education and advance in their careers. One way it achieves its goals is to facilitate the pursuit and conclusion of associate degrees, which students can use to realize their full academic and professional potential.
Specifically, students may acquire their associate degree at Los Angeles City College and then transfer to California State University—Los Angeles. They can seamlessly transition to further higher education through the Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T), which was created in collaboration with California State University.
The Associate Degree for Transfer program covers some courses, such as the administration of justice, art history, life sciences or biology, economics, and English. Tuition for these courses usually costs $342 per unit for 2024-2025.
4. Kendall College at National Louis University
With over 75 years of experience, Kendall College joins the list of excellent schools for international students to pursue their associate degrees. This college became known for offering students a fascinating yet practical education in the culinary arts. Specifically, it provides bachelor’s, certificate, and associate degrees, some of which are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, to prove that the institution can meet high standards.
Kendall College’s associate degree programs in culinary arts and baking and pastry allow international students to tailor their education to match their culinary career goals. Within two years, students get to study the scientific, artistic, and business side of food and cooking. They also refine essential skills that will allow them to work in the industry.
Thus, students at Kendall College will not only undergo intensive instruction in the culinary arts. They will also learn the management and economic abilities essential for success in the food industry. If you’re interested, the tuition fees may cost more than $26,000 for international students.
5. El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College is a well-ranked institution in the USA based on education quality. The admissions process at EPCC is flexible, and the college provides courses leading to associate’s degrees and professional certifications.
EPCC offers 130+ educational courses that may lead to a certification or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AA), or Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree. However, as with any other program, specific curriculum units must be completed first.
Students can choose courses to complete their curriculum. Overall, it takes two years of study, using a hands-on mode of education, to comply with units. However, students can have the study duration reduced when they get college credit for the knowledge and skills they have gained outside the classroom.
6. College of DuPage
The College of DuPage is Illinois’s most prominent and leading community college, even with just one campus. The institution maintains a transparent admissions policy, which contributes to its outstanding acceptance rate of 100%. Thus, it’s one of the most accessible U.S. schools to get into if you want to study associate degree programs as an international student.
Seven different associate degree majors are available at the College of DuPage. They include the arts, science, engineering, and general studies. However, students can specialize in accounting, architecture, anthropology, biology, chemistry, and cosmetology. The tuition fee for each program is around $10,200 per academic year (excluding miscellaneous and living expenses) for international student applicants.
7. Portland Community College
With more than 50,000 total students, Portland Community College is Oregon’s most extensive and diverse college. It provides superior schooling and unlimited possibilities for its students, ultimately benefiting Portland’s thriving business sector.
Students interested in the vocational and technological fields may earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) certificate. Some focus topics include accounting, addiction counseling, aviation maintenance technology, interior design, management, and marketing. These programs may take two years of study and cost around $2,200 per 12 credits.
8. Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake Community College is ideal for overseas students to get an associate’s degree or become certified in a particular field. With over 45,000 students across 10 locations, Utah’s most prominent community college accepts students of all backgrounds.
Among the many programs SLCC offers, the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied and Pre-Engineering (A.P.E.) degrees are included. While pursuing them, you may complete electives that fulfill prerequisites for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
9. Collin College
In 1985, Collin College began providing courses at local high schools. Since then, it has grown to accommodate over 58,000 undergraduate and elective students annually. The college is the sole public higher education institution in the area, providing over a hundred degrees and certifications.
Collin College offers Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Arts (AAT), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Science (AS) degrees to international students.
Notable among those programs is the Associate of Arts degree program, which provides students with a stimulating atmosphere where they can develop their artistic abilities and pursue professional careers. The cost per credit hour of this two-year degree for international students is $2005.
10. Miami Dade College
The next suggestion on our list is Miami Dade College, which has won many prestigious national accolades, including the notable Aspen Prize. More important than the awards, though, is the institution’s recognition of its role as a catalyst for the financial, cultural, and civic development of a multifaceted global society.
Miami Dade College has been granted accreditation by an independent and renowned organization, assuring students of high-quality education. It offers two types of associate degrees: Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS). Between them, the AA degree program facilitates progression to bachelor’s degree programs through the Articulation Agreement that guarantees credits can be transferred across Florida’s public universities.
The AA degree program covers biotechnology, dance, economics, geology, history, mathematics, and many other disciplines. They may take two years to complete, and the tuition fee for this program is $4,830.12 per term of 12 credit hours for nonresident students. After a student earns their AA degree, they will be accepted to any of the 11 four-year institutions in the state.
11. Purdue University Global
For affordable yet high-class education, we recommend Purdue University Global. This institution joins our list of best schools for associate degrees in the U.S. because the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has recognized and accredited its dedication to quality education. The institution’s courses also remain within students’ budgets because it offers financial aid like grants and fee waivers.
International students can choose from its 12 associate degree programs. Each program has an extensive curriculum, but the Associate in Business Administration (ABA) often stands out because it is known for providing enrollees with 11 different business concentrations so they can specialize throughout their studies.
Health club operations, hospitality and tourism services, information processing, and entrepreneurship are just a few of the many business-related fields in which ABA students could specialize. Whichever concentration they choose, though, they are trained in all essential business skills, such as software usage, administration, and accounting.
12. Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University was founded over fifty years ago to revolutionize the higher education experience for students with jobs. Thus, the school has taken innovative steps to serve adult learners better and meet their unique requirements.
Associate in Arts and Applied Science are some of the institute’s distinct degree programs. There is also an Associate in Science in Natural Sciences and Mathematics which allows students to move on to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Natural Sciences and Mathematics after program completion.
With such a variety of programs available, students of this university may choose an area of study that interests them, such as mathematics, computer science, or biology. For instance, students with rudimentary mathematical experience may further hone their talents in complex mathematics by taking a related program.
13. Excelsior College
Excelsior University was founded in 1971 as a non-profit university serving the educational needs of employed adults. Its teachers and staff are committed to helping students succeed so that they may develop in their chosen fields and realize their life objectives. That dedication makes it one of the top institutions for international students pursuing associate degrees in the U.S.
The university divided its associate degrees into applied science and science. These programs provide administrative and management studies, nursing, and criminal justice training.
For instance, the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program trains students in law enforcement, prisons, parole and probation services, adolescent corrections, fraud identification, and forensics. It costs $510 per credit hour for international applicants.
14. Penn State World Campus
Students from all over the globe have been taking advantage of Penn State’s world-class education offered via the World Campus, which started in 1998. The educational institution provides seven associate degree programs to international students, covering various disciplines like science and arts. Through these programs, students gain skills and knowledge they can use for future careers.
For instance, the Associate in Science in Labor and Human Resources course (AS in LHR), which is one of the seven programs, has subjects like the legal environment of business and interpersonal communication. Those subjects prepare students for entry-level positions in human resources, employment relations, and labor administration in industry, public service, and labor organizations.
15. University of the People
University of the People is one of the first purely online universities in the world, and it is committed to making higher education available to people everywhere. It aids high school graduates in overcoming obstacles to further education, such as lack of funds or institution slots and location. This unique mission makes it an excellent choice for students wanting to study associate degree programs in the USA.
This university offers three areas of associate courses: business administration, health science, and computer science. Among them, the Associate of Science in Health Science is best for students interested in pursuing a healthcare profession.
Disease prevention, psychology, and international health are just a few of the subjects covered in the AS in the Health Science program. Thus, the program is ideal for those already in the workforce who wish to broaden their knowledge in the health sciences.
FAQs: Getting an Associate Degree in the U.S.
What is the Difference Between an Associate Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree?
One of the most fundamental distinctions between the two is the length of time required to earn a bachelor’s degree compared to an associate’s degree. An associate degree course can be completed in two years, while a bachelor’s degree course takes four years and offers a more comprehensive look at the subject.
An additional benefit of earning an associate’s degree is the significant savings in tuition compared to a bachelor’s degree. The requirements are also less stringent. Thus, students who feel limited by their finances, high school performance, or SAT scores may find associate degree programs a great choice.
Can International Students Work in the U.S. After Completing an Associate Degree Program?
International students can work after earning an associate degree from one of the top U.S. institutes. Opportunities await recent grads in various fields, including business, science, healthcare, I.T., criminal justice, and the child services sector.
Moreover, many of these fields pay well and have a lot of room for advancement, which allows them to grow rapidly. That, combined with the U.S.’s expanding economic sector, means there are various and several jobs available for future international students like you.
Studying abroad is a dream of many international students. If that is also your aspiration, opting for an associate degree from an acclaimed institution in the U.S. is both a practical and ideal choice. Not only does it leave a stellar record in your education, but it also opens more opportunities for further education or career.
We hope this article helped narrow down your choice of the best U.S. institution to study for your target associate degree. If you want to learn more information about the university programs and scholarship opportunities in the USA for international students, check out the Guide to Studying in the US and USA Open Courses sections!
