San Jacinto College

For Nepali students

• San Jacinto College charges international students $223 per semester credit hour, one of the more affordable F-1 pathways in the United States, with a total estimated cost of attendance around $35,500 per year including housing, making it significantly cheaper than most four-year universities. Nepali students on tight budgets can complete an associate degree in two years and transfer to a Texas public university at in-state or reduced tuition rates.
• The college's strong Health Sciences portfolio (20+ programs including nursing, allied health, and medical technology) and its unrivalled Maritime programs align well with career pathways that have strong employment markets in Houston and globally, including the Gulf of Mexico energy sector where Nepali maritime professionals can also use their training.
• F-1 students at San Jacinto College are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, providing up to one year of US work authorization in a field related to their degree, a meaningful pathway to gain American work experience before returning home or pursuing further study. International students with F-1 status may also apply for the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG), a state-level financial aid program, which is uncommon at community colleges nationwide.
• Houston's South Asian community is one of the largest in the United States, and the greater Houston area has an established Nepali diaspora, meaning students can access cultural, religious, and community networks while studying at a low-cost institution recognized nationally for academic excellence.