Although many students have their mind and hearts set on attending a four-year institution, not everyone is certain as to their path to higher education.  With this in mind, consider the following information about two and four-year colleges to help you determine which may be right for you.

2-Year Colleges

•    Why attend?

While 4-year colleges often receive all of the media hype and attention, there are many benefits to attending a 2-year program.  First, 2-year colleges are much more affordable than four-year programs.  Moreover, they offer students the chance to start their careers faster through various certification programs that are attractive to many employers.  Lastly, they also enable students to strike a better school-life balance.  Meaning, students can address their family and work obligations while attending classes on a part-time basis.  

•    Who attends a 2-year program?

Students with less than perfect records, those looking for a technical or trade vocation, or those who want to ease their way into a four-year program are perfect for a 2-year college.

•    What courses can you take?

2-year programs offer pre-requisite courses that enable you to transfer credits to a four-year college.  They also offer a wide array of classes that cater to local industries.

•    What are the costs?

Most 2-year colleges are for commuters, enabling students to live with their family while taking courses locally.  Undoubtedly, not having to pay for room and board saves you a ton of money.  2-year programs are also way less expensive in terms of tuition than their 4-year counterparts.  Specifically, tuition at a 2-year college is often 1/3 of the cost for tuition at a 4-year institution.

4-Year Colleges

•    Why attend?

4-year programs offer students an experience unlike any other.  You can live on campus, take extremely diverse classes, and engage in sports, clubs, and other activities outside the classroom.  While the costs of attending a 4-year college are much more than a 2-year institution, there are more learning opportunities both on and off campus for students to pursue.

•    Who attends a 4-year program?

Students who want a well-rounded approach to education are perfect for four-year programs.  Meaning, majors often require you to take a diverse array of classes, enabling students to pursue a wide spectrum of jobs in the real world.

•    What courses can you take?

At most 4-year institutions, you can take virtually any class that interests you.  This includes math, biology, English, history, language, music, and much more.   You can also take electives in any field of study, giving you a broader more well-rounded view of the world.

•    What are the costs?

Undoubtedly, 4-year colleges cost a lot more than 2-year programs.  For instance, the average cost for in-state tuition at a public four-year college is nearly $8,700 per year.  This does not include the costs of books and room / board, which is an additional $9,000 per year.  For private college tuition, the average cost is almost $30,000 per year as well as nearly $10,500 in room and board.