Community colleges are affordable higher education institutions that usually offer two-year degrees and credentials in a variety of vocational programs. Some community colleges offer four-year degrees, and certain community colleges may permit students to complete courses to earn credentials at other institutions. In any event, community colleges are usually an affordable option since credits typically cost a fraction of the price at a community college than at a traditional university. Although community colleges may not confer academic credentials that are awarded at traditional institutions, there are certain instances when you should consider community college.
Transfer Opportunities
One of the biggest situations when you should consider community college is if you have the chance to transfer to a traditional university. In many instances, students can complete two years of study at a community college and then transfer to a four-year university. Indeed, this was what one of my sisters-in-law did, and I know a number of friends who started their education at community colleges and later transferred to traditional universities.
This strategy has many advantages. Perhaps primarily, it is usually much cheaper to attend a community college than a four-year university so students can lower their student debt burden if they are able to complete two years of credits at a community college. In addition, it might be cheaper to attend a community college since such places may be closer to home and individuals can stay at home and save money on living expenses by attending a community college. Of course, students should work hard at a community college to ensure that they have the academic record needed to transfer to a traditional university.
Vocational Programs
Another time when you should consider community college is if you would like to work in a trade rather than have an academic background. As mentioned in a previous article, the typical academic studies of many college students is not ideal for everyone. Indeed, individuals may have competencies in a wide variety of trades, and people can have very comfortable lives working in such trades rather than pursue a typical desk job.
Community college are more likely to have courses involving technical fields, the hospitality industry, and other disciplines that are not available at traditional colleges. These courses can be invaluable for people hoping to enter trades that do not require individuals to have a traditional college background. In addition, community colleges are more likely to have arrangements with local employers that may be able to ensure that graduates of vocational programs at community colleges have a solid chance of landing jobs in their communities after graduating.
Academic Rigor
Another time when you should consider community college is if you are not up to academic rigor of some traditional colleges. It is generally believed that the courses offered by community colleges are not as academically challenging as courses offered by some traditional colleges. This might be because of the resources of community colleges and the goals and mission statements of some community colleges to serve communities that might not be able to attend traditional universities.
Some people are not as academically inclined as others, and this is absolutely okay! Academic achievement is not the most important thing in life, and people can live comfortably by focusing on trades and vocations that do not rely on an academic background. In addition, numerous people who graduated from colleges with academic degrees may struggle to find gainful employment, especially in times of economic hardship. In any event, community colleges may be a good way for individuals to earn a degree without competing in the sometimes challenging academic environment found at many traditional colleges and universities.
Close to Home
An important situation when you should consider community college is if you want to complete college courses while being close to home. There are numerous circumstances in which individuals may wish to be close to home as they complete higher education. For instance, individuals may have family responsibilities like taking care of children or other relatives, and individuals may not be able to attend a college far away when they need to stay local in order to fulfill familial duties. Moreover, individuals may have solid employment close to home and they may not wish to give up job opportunities in order to attend a college that is too far away to continue working.
In such situations, community colleges may be a solid option, since they can permit people to complete college courses while handling all kinds of extra-curricular activities. In addition, community colleges are far more likely to have evening classes, weekend courses, and other offerings that can make it easier to take college courses while handling all kinds of responsibilities on the side. Of course, individuals need to carefully evaluate whether it is worth it to give up a degree from a traditional college in order to fulfill these other obligations. However, community colleges can empower people with the option to stay close to home to satisfy non-academic obligations while they complete courses.
All told, community colleges are a great resources, and they offer many of the same courses, if not more programs, than traditional colleges and universities. In many situations, individuals should consider community college so they can fulfill their academic goals and other life aspirations.