I’m not in the us collages are generally vocational here with both colleges being less (while not totaly) concerned by the money side.
For example where I live university courses are free for those in country outside they pay fees
Dunno how it’s done elsewhere but our course are usually measured in 3 parts 1 exam 2 practical 3 essey/investigation. Everyone hates exams
Most of my grades were split 40/40/20
With the 3 being a writen component