Usually, I focus on four-year universities, but today I want to discuss community colleges. When I was in high school the community college was for people who “couldn’t cut it” at a four-year college. Times have changed and so have attitudes about community colleges. I don’t suggest everyone start at a community school, but you might consider taking a class or spending a semester or two earning core credits or exploring majors.
Seven Reasons to Attend a
Community College
With highly competitive university admissions, rising student debt concerns,
and questions about the financial return on a college education, more students
than ever are considering community colleges. Some students attend
community colleges for specialized Associate’s degrees in fields like criminal
justice, information technology, logistics, or manufacturing, with the
intention of entering the workforce with these skills. Others opt to
begin a four-year college career at a community college, fulfilling core
coursework requirements there and then transferring to a four-year university.
Community colleges offer academic, financial, and social benefits and
prepare students to improve their job prospects or complete their degrees at
well-known, prestigious universities. 1. Lower Tuition
Community college classes cost less than the corresponding course at a state university or private college. In many cases, the community college class costs one-third to one-half of what the same class would cost at a public university, and the fees associated with attending the community college are lower. Most students can complete two years of courses at their local community college for less than the cost of one year’s tuition at a four-year college.
2. Personalized Instruction
Community colleges offer smaller classes, often with fewer than 40 students, and instructors who are committed to teaching. This academic environment provides more personalized instruction and may help students successfully navigate the transition from high school academics to college-level work. Many students who struggled academically in high school benefit from the smaller classes and attentive instructors they find at their local community college.
3. Chance to Improve Credentials
Community colleges offer students multiple opportunities to improve their knowledge and enhance their academic credentials. Some students choose community colleges because they can complete a certificate program or Associate’s degree that will help them get a job or earn a promotion in their current field. Other students attend community colleges as part of a long-term plan to earn a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. Taking classes at a community college may allow a student who had lower grades or test scores in high school improve his or her academic credentials in preparation for transferring to another institution.
4. Credits Transfer
Community colleges design classes so students can transfer successfully to major universities. In many states, community colleges and public universities agree on which courses will transfer and satisfy core requirements. However, not all community college class credits are guaranteed to transfer. In order to have the best chance of selecting courses that will be accepted at four-year institutions, students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for any community college classes.
5. Extensive Support Services
Community colleges understand that many of their students may require help before they are ready to transfer to a university setting. Students find that community colleges offer a wide array of services aimed at increasing student success. These services may include: English as a second language (ESL) programs; study skills classes; remedial help in math, reading, and writing; counseling services; academic advising; peer tutoring; and application counseling. Students who struggled in high school may find more help enrolling and beginning coursework at a community college than they would at a university.
6. Opportunity to Explore Academic Programs
Because tuition is less expensive, classes are more personalized, and support services are readily available, community colleges may be an ideal place for the undecided student to explore a variety of academic programs. Not sure about engineering, biology, business management, or economics? Students can take a semester or year to explore potential majors before committing to a program or school.
7. Opportunity to Live at Home
Many community college students live at home, so the student who chooses to do so won’t be out of place among his or her peers. Many students decide to live at home in order to save money, but others do so for social reasons. Some students, particularly those who graduated from high school at a young age, benefit from the opportunity to mature at home while taking classes.
Community colleges are no longer viewed as a school of last resort for those who couldn’t gain admission to a university. Many students have seen the advantage in taking classes, earning degrees, and saving money by attending a community college. Whether looking for a financial alternative, better learning environment, opportunity to explore different subjects, or a close-to-home school, students who elect to attend community colleges will discover many benefits.
Did You Know?
Many states have articulation agreements between their community colleges and four-year institutions. These transfer agreements allow students to take approved community college courses that satisfy core requirements at the university level. After successfully completing their first two years at the community college level, students qualify to enter a state university to complete their degree. Agreements vary by state, so students should ask about the policies in their state.
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Megan Dorsey is a nationally recognized expert in test preparation and college admissions. She is an experienced teacher who has helped thousands of students improve their SAT and ACT scores. Before founding College Prep, LLC, Megan served as a college counselor at Westside High School, where she developed the SAT and college planning curriculum for the Houston Independent School District (HISD). In her last year at Westside, the graduating class of 550 seniors earned over $14 million in scholarships.
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