International Education

Pierce College students have several housing choices. They can choose homestay with carefully selected American host families, placement in a single, furnished room in a private home, or they can rent an apartment in the safe and quiet neighborhood near the campus. We do not have an on-campus dormitory.

Homestay: Homestay is a great choice for students who want to experience American culture first hand. In traditional homestay, hosts provide a completely furnished private room and three meals a day, for $550 per month. In bed and breakfast homestay, hosts provide a furnished room and breakfast; students buy and prepare their own lunch and dinner in the host’s kitchen. Bed and breakfast homestay costs $425 per month.

Single room: Students who want to live independently and prepare their own meals can rent a private room in the home of a local family. These students buy their own food and have shared kitchen and bathroom privileges. Single rooms rent for approximately $400 to $550 per month.

Apartment living: We recommend apartment placement only for students who plan to live here for at least six months. An apartment rents for approximately $575 to $1,500 per month, depending on its size, number of bedrooms, its condition, and so on. One-bedroom apartments near the college, which two students can share, rent for about $575 to $775 per month, two-bedrooms for about $725 to $950, and three bedroom for about $1000 to $1500. In addition to the monthly rent, students must pay for electricity, heat, telephone and so on; they also pay a security deposit at the time of rental.

Apartments in the United States usually come equipped with appliances (stove, refrigerator, heater), but they do not include beds, tables, chairs, telephones, televisions, linens, or kitchen utensils, so students who rent apartments also need to buy or rent these items.

For Homestay, Room or Apartment Placement

For the best selection, apply for your homestay, room or apartment placement at least four weeks before you arrive at Pierce College. The placement fee of US$250 includes airport pickup and is refundable in the case of a visa denial.

Homestays: To apply for homestay placement, please fill out and submit the Pierce College International Student Homestay Application.

Apartment or Single Room: For apartment or single room placement, please fill out and submit the Pierce College Apartment or Room Placement Application.