Foothill College sits in the hills above Los Altos, a few minutes from Stanford and the headquarters of several big tech firms. It's a public community college where most international students take two years of general education, then transfer to a University of California campus or San José State. It runs on quarters, not semesters. Tuition is a fraction of a four-year university's.
Los Altos Hills, California, United States
Official website: foothill.edu
Public community college
Foothill-De Anza Community College District
Routes to UC and CSU campuses
Los Altos Hills, Silicon Valley
$9,000 – $12,000
International students, full-time course load
$24,000 – $30,000
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 foothill.edu before you apply.
Associate in Science for Transfer, Computer Science
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, Apr
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, Apr
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Arts for Transfer, Economics
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, Apr
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Science, Mathematics
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, Apr
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Transfer routes to UC and CSU campuses.
A quarter calendar with three start dates.
Low tuition in the middle of Silicon Valley.
Most international students transfer to four-year universities in California.
Silicon Valley internships are close by after transfer.
After a bachelor's degree, F-1 graduates can apply for OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus is on a hillside with long views over the valley. It's quiet and suburban, and a car or bus is needed.
Mountain View, Palo Alto and Stanford are a short drive away. Rent in Silicon Valley is very high, and many students live with host families.
Form I-20 issued by Foothill College
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
Foothill admits international students on a rolling basis for each quarter. Apply two to three months before the quarter starts.
You can start in the fall, winter or spring quarter.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Foothill College first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Computer science, business, economics and maths transfer routes are popular. Entry needs secondary school completion and English at TOEFL 61 or IELTS 5.5. There are other ways to show English level.
The Foothill-De Anza Foundation offers scholarships to continuing students, including international students.
