Advantages of Attending a Community College

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Consider this: maybe a community college is better for you.

Richard O’Brien wasn’t sure he wanted to attend a community college. “Most of my friends were going straight to four-year schools and there is some negative stigma attached to attending community colleges,” he says.

After considering the pros and cons, O’Brien decided to attend Danville Area Community College and then transfer to complete his engineering degree at the University of Illinois. “I wanted to save money … play baseball for the community college team (which ended up giving me a scholarship), and sort out what I wanted to major in without getting hit with a serious financial penalty … that decided the matter for me,” says O’Brien.

Four out of 10 graduating high school students start their college careers at community colleges, according to the College Board. Two-year colleges are the largest and fastest-growing sector of higher education. There are over 1,600 community colleges in the United States serving 11 million students.

Consider the advantages of enrolling in a community college:

Save Money on Tuition

Attending community college before completing your bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution can save you a sizable chunk of change. Tuition and fees at public community colleges average less than half of those at public four-year colleges and about one-tenth of those at private four-year colleges, according to the American Association of Community Colleges. “I think my student loan was at least half of what I would have paid otherwise,” O’Brien says.

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Complete Your Basic Requirements

You’re going to have to get your general graduation requirements out of the way one way or another. Community colleges are good places to earn these credits. The faculty at community colleges tends to focus more on teaching than research, which means you’ll get help in subjects you struggle with.

“Most students, I believe, find that general education types of courses are often the most difficult types of courses in their educational experience,” says Patrice Lyons, assistant director of articulation and transfer at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Once you are enrolled in a four-year college, you can focus on the classes you want to take as part of your major, rather than spending time and money on the classes you need to take. “I thought it was a little easier getting up to speed … I think I may have been scared of engineering otherwise,” O’Brien says.

Time to Define Your Major

Many students don’t know what to major in when they graduate from high school. Two out of three students will change their major at least once during their college career. Community colleges are good places to explore fields that interest you before committing to a major. For example, the average cost per credit hour for in-district students attending Muskegon Community College in Michigan is $60 compared with about $768 per credit hour at the University of Michigan. You’ll save money by paying less per credit than you would at a four-year school while taking time to explore your options.

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An Opportunity to Boost Your GPA

If you don’t have the highest grades after graduating high school, taking classes at a community college can help improve your GPA. Unlike most four-year colleges, community colleges have an open-door admissions policy – all students are accepted regardless of past academic performance. Improving your academic record at a community college lets you meet the minimum admissions requirements at four-year colleges and shows you are serious about your education.

Save Money by Living at Home

Room and board make up a significant percentage of college costs at four-year colleges. “Living at home also saved me a lot of money on living expenses … that was an added benefit financially,” says O’Brien.

Transferring won’t be easy, but it may be a smart way to save money and achieve your academic goals. “The transition through the community college to a four-year institution can make the students educational pathways smoother, more enriching, productive and ultimately it can lead to more successes,” Lyons says.

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edietz2

6 months ago

If you live in Illinois, there is a HUGE advantage to starting at a community college.

The Illinois Articulation Initiative established a universally transferable General Education Core Curriculum. Any Gen Eds taken at any public college or university in Illinois are automatically transferable, and accepted, at any other (assuming you have a 2.0/4.0 overall average at the school, and you passed the class).

That means a student can take around 60 hours of coursework that will automatically transfer, and count for Gen Ed, whether the school s/he is transferring to has that class or not. At a fraction of the price of the 4 year schools.

AT least in Illinois, because so many more students are electing to take the CC route, the culture at CCs is changing dramatically. Many have instituted Homecoming events, etc. They have more student organizations, and many are actively trying to develop an on-campus culture that simply didn't exist 20 years ago -- or even 10.

Academic rigor really depends on the institution. Especially if they are in the same community as a 4 year school chances are they will have a rigorous curriculum, because most of their students want to articulate into programs at the 4 year school. And....if they have strong clinical professions programs, you know they will have strong science departments.
ectigers21

7 months ago

i'm a high school senior this year and i never thought that community college could help you decide with major you want. I always thought of going straight to a university,but reading this made me realize that i should go to a community college first to complete my basics and get ready to prepare myself for a 4yr university of my choice so that way if a start straight from university i don't have to struggle.how college works when i;m done with CC I could tranfer to a 4yr university.
MattS389

over 1 year ago

I know the focus of this article was the pros of CC, but there can be serious cons with it too, and that's why I went with a four year. However, in high school I did take a few courses at my community college so I know what both are like.

1) Course Rigor--Courses at University are much more rigorous than at CC. Although you may not make as good grades and will have to work harder, and even though professor contact is much more limited on average than at CC, it will also teach students to take initiate and be more independent. However, if you usually require independent attention and help and have trouble learning alone, then CC is def the way to go.

2) Extracurricular opportunities--A large university will have upwards of 1000 student run organizations. That's 1000 chances to meet active people, get involved, and get leadership experience. And a lot of these organizations are very active and offer lots of new experiences. I had the opportunity to go to on several trips like to Las Vegas and Los Angeles at very cheap prices with the aerospace club on campus. At community colleges, there will usually be a couple active clubs, but with fewer opportunities.

3) Career Advancement--I'm only a fall semester sophomore and I've already had two job interviews for internships with prestigious companies, and I have one coming up this week. There are several job fairs and career services is very helpful in finding opportunities.

4) Social life--A lot of people who I talked to said the worst part about transferring after two years of community college was that most everyone else already had groups of friends established, and once you already have a good group of friends it's almost already time to graduate.

Of course, all of this depends on what kind of person and student you are. If you are flexible, adaptable, and take initiative, then straight to four year is almost always the best option no matter the price. However, if you feel like you will be overwhelmed by everything and usually need individual help in class, then you should save your money and go to a CC.
Skizzet21

over 1 year ago

I'm going to attend a CC this up coming semester. I am glad I chose CC because I can save a lot of money and don't have to worry about being in large debt, I know to many friends that always say they wished they didn't go to a big university for their first years of school because they feel like they are in so much debt after graduating.
buky

over 1 year ago

I will be graduating from a community college this fall and i am so glad i went to one.
I have 2 more years to get a BA because i went to a community college.
I have no student loans, i made friends (social aspect sucks), i even get some checks in the mail every semester.
All my books are paid for too.
Advisors are great
mangeloz

over 1 year ago

Definitely makes sense. At first I had the notion that it is best to start and finish only at a 4 yr school, but when you learn the facts about the benefits of attending a Community College, it can often be best to begin your college career there.
tinoco

over 1 year ago

I agree that a community college is a great start. It is a lot cheaper compared to a university and once you are taking classes it will help you decide what it is that you want to major in. I started going to a community college after my sophomore year in high school, 2 classes every semester including the summers and by the time I graduate I will have more than 1 year worth of college! If you have the opportunity to do this I recommend you to do it!
Vina91

over 1 year ago

Thats what im doing...im going to a community college for two years then ima transfer to a university.
haileef818

over 1 year ago

I am thinking about cc but not totally sure .
I've always wanted to attend a university I thought that was better than a cc.
Know that my senior year is here I'm worried . I think maybe it would be a good idea
because I'm so stressed but I don't know. Any help ??
Chamia

almost 2 years ago

i enjoy to go to community college after my high school. The college is my first step to light future. i learn everyday at school. I am having great experiences for my future university. That would be not advantage of attending in college. study study study !
YOLO

almost 2 years ago

I was super hesitant to attend community college after high school, especially since most my friends were going to big-name universities. It was a little difficult to adjust to because the social atmosphere is a bit lagging, but who didn't have to adjust to college in the beginning?
Overall I've had a pleasant experience, had great professors, and met amazing, hardworking people. And it was cheaper too! :P Especially if you don't have the cash or don't know what you wanna do with your life, CC is the way to go.
ChelseaD378

almost 2 years ago

Community college is, in my opinion, the best decision a person could make. It's a cheap, easy way to figure out what you want to do when you go to a four year. And even if you don't want to go to a four year, an associate's degree can get you places, too! Most importantly, you get your gen ed requirements out of the way at a HUGE discount!
OuedraogoO2

almost 2 years ago

i like to attend in comminuty college.but i want to now if there is any chance for me.because i come from french speaking country.Many Thanks for your reply.contact me on my email adress huberace200@yahoo.fr
SaramaeE

almost 2 years ago

Community College is definitely a good choice. I actually used less than half of my grant on tuition and books; I saved the rest until i'm ready to transfer. The teachers are great,and they make you to want to succeed in life.
ChelseaR361

about 2 years ago

I went to community college and got my associate's in Liberal Arts. I LOVED it! Since it is much smaller then the typical 4-year college, the teachers really get to know you on a personal level and everyone is willing to help! I was able to make appointments with the dean, counselors, teachers, library staff....anyone in the building for help with whatever I needed. And everyone was always soooo nice and more then willing. I had a great experience; not to mention personally the work was not that hard. While I knew most of my friends were writing essay upon essay, the majority of my classes were focused on class work and reading, and usually I only had one or two essays per class all semester. Plus, I made a ton of friends and learned from my peers who were there for all different reasons---career changes, taking classes for their jobs, just to learn something, and students straight out of high school like me.