Community College of Philadelphia is the city's public two-year college, with its main campus on Spring Garden Street near the Museum District. It offers transfer degrees into Temple, Drexel, Penn State and other Pennsylvania universities, plus career programmes in health, IT and business. Tuition is a fraction of what four-year universities in the city charge.
Philadelphia, United States
Official website: ccp.edu
Public community college
1964
Dual admission agreements with universities including Temple
$8,000 – $12,000
International students, associate programmes
$15,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on ccp.edu before you apply.
Associate in Arts (Transfer)
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Science in Computer Science
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Business Administration
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Engineering Science
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Dual admission agreements with Philadelphia universities.
Central location near the Parkway museums.
Much lower tuition than four-year colleges in the city.
Most students transfer to four-year universities in Pennsylvania.
Career programme graduates work in Philadelphia's hospitals and offices.
The city's universities and hospitals offer internships nearby.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
The main campus is in the Spring Garden area, a short walk from Center City and the Art Museum.
Philadelphia is a big, historic city with lower rent than New York and Boston. New York is about 80 minutes by train.
Form I-20 issued by Community College of Philadelphia
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
The college accepts international applications on a rolling basis. Apply about three months before the semester.
Classes start in fall (August) and spring (January).
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Community College of Philadelphia after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Transfer arts, computer science, business and engineering science are popular. Entry needs high school completion and IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 61.
The college foundation offers some scholarships after the first semester. Ask the international office.
