Community college 2+2 in the USA: an associate degree first, then a university bachelor's

A US bachelor's degree is four years. In a 2+2, you spend the first two at a community college, earn an associate degree, then transfer to a university for the last two. You graduate with the university's bachelor's degree, often for much less money, and many community colleges admit students with HSC and a modest English score. This guide explains how it works, using the two states where most of our partners' transfer degrees are: California and Washington.

How a 2+2 works

1. 1
   Year 0Apply to a community college

   With HSC (or equivalent) and an English test. Santa Monica College, for example, accepts IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 45.

2. 2
   Years 1–2Study a transfer associate degree

   About 60 semester units of general education and courses for your future major. Keep your GPA high: it decides where you can transfer.

3. 3
   Year 2, autumnApply to transfer

   In your second year you apply to universities as a transfer student. Some routes guarantee admission if you meet the conditions.

4. 4
   Years 3–4Finish the bachelor's

   You join as a junior (third year) and complete the remaining units of your major.

California: ADT and TAG

The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T / AS-T)

California's community colleges offer an Associate Degree for Transfer, written AA-T or AS-T. It is a two-year degree of up to 60 semester units. The California Community Colleges say it guarantees admission into the California State University (CSU) system, "though admission to a specific campus or major is not guaranteed", and you start as a junior. The CSU says that in a similar major you can then finish your bachelor's in another 60 semester units. About 40 majors have an ADT, and nearly 40,000 students earn one each year (CCC Chancellor's Office).

The UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)

Six University of California campuses offer a TAG: Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. Berkeley, UCLA and San Diego do not, but still admit many transfer students. For fall 2027 entry, UC's rules include:

• at least 30 semester units finished when you submit the TAG, and 60 by the spring before you transfer;
• no more than 80 semester units in total;
• a California community college as your last school;
• TAG submitted 1–30 September, then the UC application 1 October–30 November.

UC's TAG pages don't list international students among those who can't use a TAG, but they don't confirm it either. Check each campus's conditions before you rely on a guarantee.

Transfers are common: some 80,000 California community college students move to UC or CSU every year (CCC). Santa Monica College says it has been No. 1 for transfers to UC for 35 years, sending 995 students to UC campuses in 2024–25, 437 of them to UCLA (SMC).

Washington: DTA and AS-T

Washington's community colleges use the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA). The state board (SBCTC) says that with an Associate of Arts DTA "you can transfer to any public university in Washington state as a junior, with virtually all your general education credits fulfilled."

• AA-DTA: the general route, for most majors in arts, humanities, social sciences and business.
• AS-T: for science and engineering. Track 1 is for biology, environmental science, geology and chemistry; Track 2 for engineering, computer science, physics and atmospheric science.
• MRP (Major-Related Program): a transfer degree shaped for one major, such as business or nursing, often written "DTA/MRP".

What it costs

• Community college: at Santa Monica College, 24 units a year cost about $11,664 in tuition and fees. SMC estimates a full year for an international student at about $34,000, including health insurance and living costs (SMC).
• CSU: non-residents pay $471 for each unit on top of resident tuition ($3,419 per semester at CSU Long Beach), plus campus fees.
• University of California: UC shows about $59,200 in tuition and fees and roughly $90,100 total cost a year for new non-resident undergraduates (UC).

Two cheaper years at a community college can make a UC or CSU bachelor's affordable for a family who could not pay four years at a university.

F-1 visa rules to know

• I-20: SEVP-certified community colleges issue Form I-20s. You study full-time (at least 12 units a semester at SMC).
• Work while you study: on campus only, up to 20 hours a week during term.
• OPT: after an associate degree you can apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training, and another 12 months after a higher-level degree (USCIS Policy Manual). You must study full-time for one academic year first, and the job must relate to your field.
• STEM OPT: the 24-month extension needs a STEM bachelor's or higher, so it does not apply to an associate degree (Study in the States).
• Moving from college to university: because you are already in the US, your SEVIS record is transferred to the university (ICE).

Is a 2+2 right for you?

How Luminous helps

Our partners list hundreds of associate degrees for transfer and university transfer programmes in the USA, especially in California and Washington. We help you choose a college with good transfer results in your field, plan the courses for your target university, and apply. There is no service charge on your first 3 applications to partner universities and colleges.