Our College & Location

What is a Community College?

Community colleges are a major sector of the U.S. education system. They are public, government-funded institutions. More than 10 million students, about 40 percent of all undergraduate students, attend community colleges throughout the United States.

Community colleges provide the first two years of university education, called “lower division courses,” preparing students to transfer to a university for two years to complete their bachelor’s degree. This system is called “2+2” – two years at a community college plus two years at a university equals a bachelor degree.

The community college also offers two-year associate degrees in many fields, in addition to one and two-year certificates for shorter courses focusing on career training, as well as short-term non credit programs.

Last year more than 100,000 international students attended community colleges in the United States. Green River Community College has benefited from having international students since 1985 and has developed a program, which serves students more than 1000 students from more than 40 countries.

The curriculum at a community college and a university are the same. Both community colleges and universities are accredited by the same agencies. Community college class sizes are typically small (20-35) and students receive close personal attention from their faculty and advisors.