If you are looking for a new opportunity after high school or if you aren’t sure what you want to study in college, you can take advantage of the many Community Colleges in the United States. These two-year institutions offer technical and vocational programs and often have strong ties to local secondary/high schools, community groups, and employers. You can find these institutions in both rural and urban settings. Before you start looking at community colleges, take a moment to think about what you hope to do with your life.
The emergence of community colleges was part of a broader restructuring and rethinking of the educational system. In order to reach a broader student population, community colleges offered courses that were practical and pragmatic, while also providing an accessible alternative to traditional universities. The federal government also encouraged the growth of these institutions, providing incentives for them to provide programs that helped displaced homemakers, unemployed people, and the disabled.
Community colleges have seen the largest growth among Hispanics. While White students still make up the majority, their percentage decreased in the last decade. One-third of students enrolled in community colleges are first-generation students and over a quarter of community college students have children under six. And, as a final note, community college tuition is significantly cheaper than most other types of college tuition. It’s no wonder that community colleges are increasingly popular for those with other obligations.
The early community colleges were often extension schools of high schools. The goal of these institutions was to educate future school teachers and help adults in their communities become responsible members of society. Some community colleges were even created as “colleges without walls” in the 1970s. They used public facilities, including television, to provide classes. In addition, community colleges began collaborating with high schools in order to prepare students for two-year programs.
The United States has over one hundred community colleges. Community colleges are open-access, affordable, and offer flexible schedules. Nearly half of the nation’s undergraduate students attend a community college. They are a great way to get an education and begin working sooner. Many community colleges offer online courses and night classes. These options are especially beneficial for those with jobs or family responsibilities. Many community colleges also partner with four-year institutions to allow students to transfer credits and take courses at their own pace.
In addition to providing vocational training, community colleges offer various services to residents of their communities. For example, they provide an opportunity for high school dropouts to go back to school and receive their GED. Moreover, they may offer specialized degrees for local employers. In addition, community colleges sometimes host local state universities.
The best community colleges offer federally-funded work-study programs. These programs help students to earn money on campus while they study. Work-study programs often reflect the career goals of students. They also offer financial aid to help students study. In addition to loans, community colleges also offer scholarships. Some large corporations and community organizations award scholarships to deserving students. A few of these scholarships are need-based.
Unlike traditional universities, community colleges have smaller campuses. This means that students do not have to walk long distances to find parking. Parking can be a real pain on campus. In comparison, four-year universities often have limited parking spaces. Fortunately, most community colleges have ample parking facilities.
While many community colleges are located in major cities, some are located in rural communities. This is especially true of public two-year colleges. There are even those in smaller cities. But the enrollment at community colleges has declined in every year since 2010, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. In fact, the number of students enrolled in community colleges will decrease by nearly two million by 2020.
Community colleges are smaller than universities, and they often serve the community by offering non-academic programs. These programs range from resume-writing to swimming classes for children. Many community colleges now have transfer agreements with nearby four-year colleges, and if you want to pursue a degree, you can transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree after two years.
Community colleges have a very low cost of attendance. According to Martha Parham, senior vice president for public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges, tuition at community colleges is about one-third of the price of in-state tuition at a four-year public university. If you live in Washington, for example, you can attend North Seattle College for under $4,100 per year. However, if you want to attend the University of Washington–Seattle, you will spend more than $12,000 for the same education.
