Study and find schools in American Samoa

Studying in American Samoa

American Samoa is a United States territory in the South Pacific, made up of the eastern islands of the Samoan archipelago. Its main island is Tutuila, where the capital area of Pago Pago is located. Samoan and English are both used in daily life, and higher education follows the American system of associate and bachelor's degrees and US accreditation.

Higher education in the territory is small in scale. Our directory lists one active school in American Samoa: American Samoa Community College (ASCC) in Pago Pago, which had 843 students, all undergraduates, according to the US Department of Education's College Navigator. ASCC's motto, "Saili le Atamai", means "seek knowledge".

The education system in American Samoa

Schools and colleges follow the US model: high school graduation, followed by college. Higher education in American Samoa is centred on ASCC, which describes itself as an open-admissions, US-accredited, land-grant institution offering bachelor's and associate degrees and certificate programmes. It is governed by a Board of Higher Education.

The main qualifications are:

• Certificates of proficiency in technical and vocational fields, such as carpentry, welding, electronics and accounting
• Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees, normally two years, in fields such as liberal arts, business, nursing, marine science, agriculture and cybersecurity
• A Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education for future and current teachers

Studies are measured in US semester credits. The associate degree in nursing, for example, requires 76 to 78 credits, including general education and nursing courses. All degree students follow a general education programme that includes communication, critical thinking, and global awareness and cultural competence. Associate degrees prepare students either for work or for transfer to a four-year college or university.

Accreditation and recognition

ASCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), one of the US regional accreditors, and has been since 1976, with the next review due in 2028, according to College Navigator. US accreditation matters for credit transfer to other American colleges and for access to US federal student aid.

Some programmes also lead to professional licences. ASCC's associate degree in nursing is approved by the American Samoa Health Services Regulatory Board, which lets graduates sit the NCLEX exam for registered nurses, and it provides a foundation for an off-island Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Admission

ASCC has an open admission policy. Applicants must be legal residents of American Samoa and meet at least one of these conditions:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a high school graduate or hold a GED
• Hold a US military DD214 form
• Hold a secondary school certificate from a non-US system
• Be admitted through the Early Admissions Program

The Bachelor of Education has its own pre-admission application, submitted early in the semester.

Entry and residence

American Samoa manages its own immigration rules, separate from the rest of the United States. At ASCC, US citizens and US nationals can enrol as residents. Students who are not US citizens or nationals must provide a current American Samoa Government (ASG) Immigration Board authorisation and valid ASG identification. Anyone planning to study there should contact the ASG immigration authorities and the college's admissions office before travelling, as checked with ASCC's admissions page in October 2026.

Costs

According to College Navigator, estimated tuition and fees at ASCC for a full-time beginning undergraduate in 2024-25 were US$5,300 for in-state students and US$5,600 for out-of-state students. The same source estimates books and supplies at US$4,200 and off-campus food and housing at US$4,850 a year. ASCC has no campus housing. Non-US citizens can apply for resident tuition status after living in the territory for five consecutive years. Adult education classes are free, and community service classes cost US$35 each.

Eligible students can apply for US federal financial aid through the FAFSA, and ASCC also awards in-house scholarships each semester.

Where to study

All higher education in our directory is in Pago Pago, on Tutuila. ASCC's programmes reflect the needs of the territory: teacher training with a focus on Samoan language, history and culture, nursing and health science, marine science and natural resources, agriculture, and trades such as automotive technology, construction and electrical work. For a bachelor's degree in most other subjects, students usually transfer after their associate degree to a university off the island.

Culture and practical life

Life in American Samoa is shaped by fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way of life, with strong family and village structures and Christian church communities. Students should expect a small, close community. The US dollar is the currency. Because ASCC has no student housing, students need to arrange accommodation themselves, often with family.

Frequently asked questions

Which degrees can I study in American Samoa?

American Samoa Community College offers certificates, associate degrees (AA and AS) in a wide range of fields and a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education.

How much does American Samoa Community College cost?

College Navigator estimates tuition and fees for 2024-25 at US$5,300 for in-state and US$5,600 for out-of-state students, plus books, food and housing.

Can international students study in American Samoa?

ASCC requires students to be legal residents of American Samoa. Students who are not US citizens or nationals need an authorisation from the American Samoa Government Immigration Board and valid ASG identification.

Is American Samoa Community College accredited?

Yes. It has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges since 1976.