If you’re looking for convenience and affordability, a community college may be the way to go. Community colleges are mostly state-owned schools that offer degree programs lasting up to two years. You can receive a certificate or associate’s degree at a community college. You can also take up to two years of freshman and sophomore courses to transfer to a four-year college or university later. This article will explain the advantages and disadvantages to attending a typical community college in the U.S.
Potential advantages to attending a community college:
1. Low tuition, especially for state residents.
Community colleges tend to be far cheaper than public universities, private universities, liberal arts colleges, or for-profit schools. This is one of the main draws of a community college, especially for students who qualify for in-state tuition.
2. Flexible scheduling.
Community colleges offer courses during time daytime, evening, and on weekends. This is important because many community college students have other responsibilities. Over 80% of community college students have part-time or full-time jobs, for example. Some also have families to take care of.
3. More relaxed learning environment.
Your local community college probably won’t strongly emphasize competition. This doesn’t mean community college classes are all easy, or that community colleges don’t have competitive programs, but it could mean less college stress for some students.
4. Fewer students per class.
Because community colleges draw in students from their local areas, class sizes tend to be smaller, which can encourage more in-class discussion and interaction with professors. At four-year institutions, especially public ones, many introductory courses are taught in large auditoriums instead.
5. Professors chosen for teaching ability, not research skills.
At a university, professors are under pressure to “publish or perish.” They are expected to keep researching and pumping out grant applications. At a community college, professors are expected to make teaching their main focus instead, which can be beneficial for students. For example, professors at a community college may be more available during office hours than professors at a four-year institution.
6. Easy admission.
Getting into a community college is quite easy, as most of them have open admissions. That means virtually any adult with a high school diploma or GED certificate can gain admittance. In fact, some community colleges even take students who have not yet graduated from high school, as long as they can prove they’re working toward completion. This could mean one less thing to worry about during your senior year of high school.
7. More diversity.
Many community colleges have a more diverse student body than traditional institutions of higher learning. This diversity can encompass race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, age, political affiliation, social background, and more. The percentage of minority students in the total student population of community colleges is significantly higher than in four-year, public institutions.
This can be an advantage because it prepares you for the diversity of today’s workforce. It can also be an advantage if you’re a minority, since you may be able to relate to other minority students well.
Potential disadvantages to attending a community college:
1. Fewer clubs and sports.
Your average community college or junior college doesn’t have as many extracurricular activities as a four-year institution. Of course, if your school doesn’t have the club you’re interested in, you could always try to start it yourself, but you will probably only be there for about two years.
2. Little prestige.
You may not impress many people with the associate’s degree you earn from a community college. But, if you transfer to a more prestigious institution later and end up graduating, your new school will go on your resume, not the community college. So, most of your future employers won’t need to know you went to a community college, if you don’t want to tell them.
3. No on-campus housing.
Some community colleges do have student dorms, but this isn’t typical. Generally, you’ll need to take care of housing plans on your own. However, this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Dorms tend to be more expensive than local apartments anyway. Chances are, you’ll save money by renting, not to mention the benefit of starting to build credit.
4. No Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degrees offered—transferring can be tricky.
If you finish two years at a community college, then decide you want to continue your education, you’ll have to transfer. Transferring credits can be difficult. In the best case scenario, all of your credits will not only transfer, but apply toward the new degree program you’d like to pursue. This will mean you saved thousands of dollars. In the worst case scenario, none of your credits will transfer at all, which could make you feel like you wasted the past two years! As you can imagine, the typical scenario falls somewhere in the middle. It’s common for many or most community college credits to transfer and apply to a new program, while a few are lost in the move. This can occur because the subject is not taught at the new school, or is taught in a significantly different way.
To make the process of transferring easier, attend a community college that is regionally accredited. Visit your academic adviser at least once per year to make sure the classes you’re taking are likely to transfer. If you already know which four-year school you’d like to transfer to, and which degree program you’d like to pursue there, contact that school early. You need to find out if your credits would both transfer and apply to the degree program you’re interested in.
In short, there are both advantages and disadvantages to attending a community college. It’s up to you to decide whether a two-year institution best fits your needs.
