The traditional four-year college experience may not be right for everyone.  Specifically, right away some students may not be sure what course of study interests them.  Or, they may want a more affordable education.  If you’re considering attending a community college or are interested in learning more about its benefits, check out the following:

    1)    Transfer agreements – many community colleges have admission agreements with public colleges that allow qualified students to transfer their credits and gain admission to these schools after completing a two-year program.  This allows students to initially save money at a community college and then gain entry to public universities to complete a bachelor’s degree.

    2)    You save money – paying for college these days is a huge decision, and annual tuition rates have continued to soar into the tens of thousands of dollars each year.  With this in mind, many community colleges charge around $1000 or less for in-state tuition. You also may not have to pay for housing when attending a community college, enabling you to live at home and save money.   

    3)    They offer a flexible approach to education – attending a community college is a great way for students to ease their way into college rather than just jumping into a four-year program that they may not be prepared for.  Community colleges allow you to learn at your own pace, offering much more flexibility than a traditional four-year college.

    4)    You can take classes part-time – community colleges are great for students who wish to attend college part-time while balancing other obligations, including family and career obligations.

    5)    You can complete the basics – core curriculum courses are generally transferable to state colleges and public universities.  This means that you can take the core basics and they will count towards your future education at a state or public university.

    6)    They offer STEM courses – many employers are interested in students who have completed the STEM courses, which are science, technology, engineering, and math.  This means that not every student will have to spend the time and money attending a four-year program, as many employers are satisfied with the education that STEM courses have to offer.

    7)    Smaller class sizes & personalized attention – many community colleges offer smaller class sizes than larger, four-year colleges.  This means that students can get more personalized attention and one-on-one time with professors.

    8)    Professional certifications – while career progress is often associated with an advanced degree, community colleges do offer short-term certifications in a variety of different fields, including information technology and electronics.  If you are interested in these fields, a community college may be the right option for you, allowing you to begin your career in two years.