Most international students at Truckee Meadows Community College are here for two years before moving on. They take an associate degree at the main Dandini campus, on a hill north of downtown Reno, then transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno or another four-year school. Tuition is a fraction of a university's. Lake Tahoe is under an hour away.
Reno, Nevada, United States
Official website: tmcc.edu
Public community college in Nevada
1971
Dandini campus, north Reno
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
$9,000 – $12,000
International students, full-time associate programmes
$12,000 – $15,000
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 tmcc.edu before you apply.
Associate of Arts (transfer)
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of Science (transfer)
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of Business
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Associate of General Studies
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 61
Transfer paths into the University of Nevada, Reno.
Community-college tuition, far below university fees.
A hillside campus looking over the Truckee Meadows valley.
Small classes taught by faculty rather than teaching assistants.
Most international students transfer to a four-year university to finish a bachelor's degree.
Associate graduates can apply for 12 months of OPT.
The industrial park east of Reno, home to Tesla's Gigafactory, hires technicians and support staff.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Reno is known for casinos, but student life centres more on the Truckee River, the Riverwalk and trails that start at the edge of town. Summers are hot and dry, and winter brings snow to the hills.
Rent is lower than in California and Nevada has no state income tax. Lake Tahoe's beaches and ski resorts are about 45 minutes away, and San Francisco is roughly four hours' drive over the Sierra.
Form I-20 issued by Truckee Meadows Community 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
TMCC sets international deadlines a few months before each semester, often around June for fall and November for spring. Check the current dates and leave time to get the I-20 and book a visa interview.
International students can start in the fall semester in late August or the spring semester in January.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Truckee Meadows Community 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.
The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees are the usual choices, along with the Associate of Business. You need secondary school completion and English at about IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 61, or you can take English courses first.
Scholarships for new international students are limited. The TMCC Foundation runs a yearly scholarship application, and some awards are open to non-residents once you have a semester of grades, so ask the international office.
