The difference between a junior college, college and university is simple.
A junior college, often called 2-year college, is a school where students can attend for 2 years and either graduate with their associate’s degree or continue on to finish their last 2 years at another institution.
A college is a bit different. Here, students can attend for 4 years and graduate with their bachelor’s degree. College does not offer post-graduate studies, meaning once your 4 years are finished, you are done. However, you are able to continue your post-graduate studies elsewhere by transferring into a university.
A university is similar to a college in that it is 4 years long and one can graduate with a bachelor’s degree as well. But universities take it one step further and offer those post-graduate courses.
In comparing each type of school, we find that the majority of international students tend to follow the junior college pathway. The reason for this is because at a 2 year institution, the chances of you starting on the pitch/court is greater than at a 4 year institution where you need to compete against any seniority. This pathway also allows for an unforgettable experience at 2 schools, rather than spending all your 4 years at one. Keep in mind, transferring schools is a VERY common thing in the US.