Sinclair Community College is a public community college in downtown Dayton, Ohio, and one of the largest community colleges in the state. It is best known for associate degrees in business, IT, engineering technology, aviation, health and university transfer. Choose it for a very low-cost start to a US degree with transfer options.
Dayton, United States
Official website: sinclair.edu
1887 in Dayton
Public community college in Ohio
A national centre for drone training
$7,000 – $10,000
International students, associate programmes
$11,000 – $14,000
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 sinclair.edu before you apply.
Associate of Arts (Transfer)
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of Applied Science in Software Development
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of Applied Science in Business Management
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of Applied Science in Unmanned Aerial Systems
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Very low tuition for international students.
Transfer agreements with Ohio universities.
Drone and aviation training near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Many students transfer to Ohio universities after two years.
Applied associate graduates move into IT, business and technical roles in Dayton.
Graduates can continue to a bachelor's degree for further work options.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
No PG intake
The downtown campus is a large site of connected buildings with labs, a library and student services, close to Dayton's riverfront.
Dayton is the birthplace of aviation, with very low rent and the National Museum of the US Air Force nearby. Cincinnati and Columbus are each about an hour away.
Form I-20 issued by Sinclair
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
Sinclair accepts international applications on a rolling basis. Apply about three months before the fall, spring or summer start to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
Most programmes start in fall and spring, and some also start in summer.
You need an F-1 student visa. Sinclair issues your Form I-20 after you are admitted and show funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend a visa interview.
Transfer associate degrees, software development, business management and unmanned aerial systems are popular. Entry needs high school completion and IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
Sinclair offers some scholarships open to international students after their first term. Check the college's scholarship pages for details.
