American River College (ARC) is a public community college located in Sacramento, California, and one of four colleges comprising the Los Rios Community College District. Founded in 1955, ARC enrolls approximately 30,000 students each semester, making it one of the largest community colleges in the greater Sacramento region. Situated on a 153-acre campus adjacent to the American River Parkway and near the scenic American River Bike Trail, the college offers a comprehensive array of associate degrees, career and technical certificates, and transfer pathways designed to help students advance to four-year universities including UC Davis, Sacramento State, and UC Berkeley. ARC is widely recognized for its robust transfer programs, particularly in nursing, STEM fields, business, and liberal arts. The college's Beavers athletics program competes in the California Community Colleges Athletic Association (CCCAA) within the Big 8 Conference, offering 17 varsity sports. ARC's diverse student population reflects Sacramento's multicultural identity, with students receiving extensive support through tutoring centers, counseling services, financial aid, and dedicated equity programs. Campus facilities include a modern health center, library with extensive digital resources, performing arts center, gymnasium, and athletic fields. ARC also partners with regional high schools through dual enrollment programs that allow students to earn college credits before graduation. The college's location near California's state capital provides students with unique access to government internships, public sector employment, and civic engagement opportunities that enrich their educational experience and launch their professional careers.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$13048
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $12,616
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
