Community College Mission - Determines Future

Pros and Cons of Community Colleges

Community Colleges and the Dangers of Student Loan Debt

Community Colleges - An Affordable Alternative to Traditional 4 Year Colleges

College in a Recession - Community College and Online Learning Alternatives

Community College - Is It The Right Place For You?

Community College - A Concept Gaining In Popularity

What Does a Community College Cost?

Community college costs are normally lower than four year universities. Students can take classes at community college and earn credits toward a two year or four year degree program at a lower cost.

Community colleges are local colleges that offer two year degrees, certifications and many classes will transfer later to a four year university. On average community college costs are lower than four year universities.

The national average college tuition cost for public universities is $4,694 per year for in state residents. This figure includes both tuition rates and fees for a full time student.

The average college tuition cost at private colleges and universities is around $20,000 per year in tuition and fees.

Now compare this to the average yearly tuition for a community college. The average cost of community college tuition is only $2,076 per year. This is less than half than a traditional four year public university and much less than a private college.

Attending a community college will also help offset the costs if a student decides to continue his or her education toward a bachelor's degree. Since community college costs are lower students are not likely to be accumulating student loans which will help their financial state in long term future.

Another factor to consider is that each year tuition rates rise. In fact college tuition costs increase at about twice the general inflation rate, about 8% per year. The future and long term costs are something that all college students, current and future, should consider when choosing a college.

Even though community college tuition costs and four year college costs increase, many students benefit from financial aid programs. Government grants such as the Pell grant provide funding for many college students. In fact students who attend community colleges may qualify for grants that would cover most or all of their community college tuition costs.

Scholarship programs awarded by colleges, businesses and non profit organizations are also available to help students defray the cost of community college tuition. With a combination of savings, financial aid, and scholarships many students today are able to afford college tuition costs and further their education.

http://CollegeFinancialAidGuide.com is an online informational resource for college educational funding including information about federal grants and free money for college.

Community College Is Not Always Cheaper

Lately we have been seeing an inordinate number of very talented students opting to attend a community college. Most of the reasons given for this relate to the lower cost of attending a community college. In some cases a student did not want to put in a full effort in high school or did not want to take the SAT or ACT test in order to attend a four-year school. Whatever the reason for attending a community college when considering the cost factor these colleges may not always be your best choice.

Community colleges play an important role in the education framework of the United States. Over 45% of students attending college for the first time are enrolled in community colleges. About 50% of all post secondary students are attending a community college. When you dig deeper into the statistics you also find out that 39% of all community college attendees want a four-year degree. Only 23% ever complete this degree. It would appear that starting at a community college to obtain a four-year degree has some very high risks.

When comparing the cost of attending a community college can seem like a bargain. In most cases attending the local community college will cost about one-third the cost of attending the local four-year state college or university. When comparing the cost to private colleges and universities the community college will cost anywhere from 10% to 20% of a private university education. This relative bargain makes them an alluring option.

When calculating the total cost of a community college education you also need to take into account two other factors; the transferability of credits for courses taken, and the ability to obtain financial aid. Many students who attend these colleges who go on to attend the four-year college face a hidden penalty. Some of the credits for courses taken will not transfer to the four-year college. This requires the student to retake certain classes and therefore pay for the same class twice. It also means that the anticipated two additional years of college can turn into two and one-half to three years of college. Essentially a student can end up paying for five years of college, thereby making the two-year college investment more expensive.

The second factor to consider is the amount of financial aid a talented student could obtain at a community college versus a four-year college. The most needy students are going to get the largest portion of subsidized federal and state aid. This means that low-income families stand a good chance of receiving enough aid to pay for the largest portion of the two-year college or four-year college. As we move from the most needy into the ranks of middle-income families subsidized aid diminishes rapidly and most middle-income families find that they will have to pay for the community college education out of their own pocket. These colleges usually do not offer institutional aid from their own funds.

The four-year colleges and universities typically have institutional aid to offer to talented students. This means that while a middle-income family will have to pay their Expected Family Contribution the four-year school has resources to make up the difference of the cost of attending and what the family is expected to pay. These types of schools also have extra money on hand to attract especially talented students which can further reduce the cost to the family.

Private universities, with the cost of attending at five times the cost of a two-year college, can often end up being an even better investment for a talented student. Like the local four-year colleges the private schools can provide a significant amount of institutional aid to a family, reducing the out-of-pocket cost below that of the local university and the local community college. These colleges and universities know they are losing talented students to the lower cost colleges. They will often do whatever it takes to attract a talented student.

When you take into account all of the costs, the risk of not completing a four-year degree, the risk of credits not transferring to the four-year school, and the inability of community colleges to provide institutional aid, a four-year public or private university may turn out to be the best option for a talented student. I often ask families to follow the 25% rule when determining what schools to evaluate first. If your student is in the top 25% of their class, or top 25% on the ACT or SAT tests the four-year school is likely to be your best financial aid option.

Community colleges are often the best option for a student, especially if you are looking to obtain a two-year degree or certification in a certain field. In this case the four-year school would be a waste of time. For talented students who want to complete a four-year degree the risks of attending the two-year college and not having your education subsidized are very high for middle-income families. Knowing the Expected Family Contribution, the cost of attending, and the likely financial aid options at each type of school will allow the family to make the best financial aid choice. It is best to gather all the facts before making your final choice.

Timothy Wall is a partner in the group Independent Financial Aid Advisors (IFAA, LLC) which works with families to develop strategies for achieving the best financial aid packages for their students who want to attend college. The company provides a free resource guide at http://www.achievecollegeaid.com. You may contact Tim at trwall@achievecollegeaid.com.

Community Colleges Now Offering Four-Year Degrees

In this still-uncertain economy that remains rife with unemployment, hundreds of thousands of out-of-work blue- and white-collar professionals, competing for scarce available jobs, find themselves faced with the need to further their training, expand their skill sets, or in some cases change career paths altogether. Many are going back to school, some to obtain their first college degree, others to get an additional or more advanced degree that could give their résumé a much-needed competitive edge in a crowded marketplace.

Demand for the Convenience of Online College Degrees ...

In recent years, many "non-traditional" students who aren't able to attend classes on the conventional resident college student's full-time schedule - working parents, returning older students, students holding down a part-time or full-time job - have gravitated toward online degree programs that allow students to work toward their college degrees from home (or anywhere with a computer and an Internet connection) and at their own hours. As accredited online colleges and programs have proliferated, so have the number of students pursuing online college degrees.

These online college degrees, however, can often be pricey, requiring many students to take out a significant amount of money in student loans and private student loans. And some online universities have continued to offer only associate degrees and certificate programs, no bachelor's or advanced degrees. As competition for jobs has intensified in a shrinking economy, many job-seeking professionals have found that their two-year college degree is going up against four-year and professional college degrees.

 ... and Demand for the Lower Costs of Community College Programs

Community colleges have traditionally offered lower-income and non-traditional students a lower-priced, commuter-friendly, and part-time alternative to pricier online college degrees and full-time four-year colleges and universities. But the two-year community college degree has posed the same drawbacks as two-year online college degrees: When going up against four-year degrees in a job search, two-year degrees simply aren't as competitive.

Four-Year Community Colleges Offer a Cost-Convenience Solution

Now, however, students are finding a growing number of four-year degree options at community colleges. As more community colleges respond to increased student demand for affordable higher education, expanding their programs to include four-year bachelor's degrees and applied baccalaureate degrees, new and returning students are increasingly able to obtain the academic pedigree of a four-year degree with much of the flexibility offered by online college degree programs but at the lower cost of a community college education.

Bachelor's Degree Programs at Community Colleges Expanding

Florida currently leads the nation with 14 community colleges authorized to award bachelor's degrees, reports The New York Times, with 12 schools already having done so, in fields including fire safety management and veterinary technology ("Community Colleges Challenge Hierarchy With 4-Year Degrees," May 2, 2009). Nationwide, 17 states, including Nevada, Texas, and Washington, have granted community colleges the authority to award associate and bachelor's degrees.

In some states, community colleges have even become four-year institutions in order to facilitate their new longer programs. At Miami Dade College in Florida - formerly known as Miami Dade Community College - more than 1,000 students are currently enrolled in the school's bachelor degree programs. The average age of these students is 33.

LaKisha Coleman, a Miami Dade student who will graduate with a college degree in public safety management this spring, recommends the school to family members for its advantages over a traditional four-year degree program at a state or private university.  

"It's much cheaper, the teachers are good, you can do it in the evening while you work, and everyone's very helpful," Coleman told The New York Times.

Applied Baccalaureate Degrees Another Burgeoning Community College Offering

In the current economy, at a time when students have fewer financial resources to cover their college costs and job prospects are uncertain, the applied baccalaureate degree is becoming a popular option for students, says Debra Bragg, the director of the Forum on the Future of Public Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Usually focusing on applied academics or applied sciences and technologies, an applied baccalaureate degree is a four-year bachelor's degree that may be earned at both two- and four-year institutions, including technical colleges and community colleges. Unlike bachelor's degrees at some conventional four-year universities, however, the applied baccalaureate degree counts technical and associate degree-level courses as degree credits, allowing community college students to keep their course costs low and minimize their need for student loans or other financial aid.

"Applied baccalaureate degree programs at community colleges can be used by students looking for a career that is emerging, or for adults who have earned college credits in the past and are looking to re-enter college, often to advance their careers to a supervisory level," Bragg explains.

Since 2000, the number of states offering an applied baccalaureate degree has doubled, reports the University of Illinois. Currently, 39 states offer the degree.

The applied "real-world" focus of applied baccalaureate programs and coursework is aimed at grooming students to fill projected workforce needs in areas of the country where large concentrations of jobs have been lost due to outsourcing, a shrinking manufacturing base, or a shift in local industry.

"An applied baccalaureate degree represents a viable pathway for someone who previously hadn't thought about earning a bachelor's degree," says Bragg, "but now sees it as a necessary step to getting and keeping a good job with benefits."

online college degrees

Choosing Between Community and Traditional 4 Year Colleges

Community colleges are becoming a popular option for many students, especially those for whom a traditional college course is beyond their academic or financial means. A recent study conducted by the American Association of community colleges found that 4 in 10 first-time freshmen attend a 2-year community college course rather than taking a full 4-year course. Why not take a look at our guide below to help you decide if Community College could be the right route to success for you?

What Is a Community College?

Most community colleges offer 2-year courses at an affordable rate in many locations. The reasons for students choosing a community college include:

To start earning basic credits which can be transferred to a 4-year college course.
To follow a 2 year associate's degree or certificate program in preparation for a particular career.
To find out more about a potential new career, learn new skills with an eye to a specific area of employment, or simply to follow a personal interest.

Why choose a Community College?

Community colleges offer advantages to any student, but are particularly suitable for those who fall into the following categories.

Cost of traditional college is too high. Tuition fees at most community colleges are usually much more affordable than at traditional 4 year colleges. Even if you plan to eventually attend a 4-year school, you can save big bucks by taking a couple of semesters of general prerequisites at a community college.

Your grades aren't up to scratch. You'll usually find that you will be accepted by any community college as long as you have a high school diploma, a refreshing change, especially if the more competitive 4-year colleges have knocked you back! Once you've completed your 2-year course, it may be easier to prove that you have the academic ability to go on to study at a 4-year college.

You require training for a particular job. If you have a specific technical or vocational career in mind, community college can provide a no-nonsense 2-year course that allows you to focus on this rather than having to study a range of subjects.

You can't, or don't want to, leave home. Lots of high school students don't feel ready to take on the responsibility of living away from home, or have personal commitments that mean that living away isn't a feasible option. A community college allows you to embark on the next phase of your education without losing the security provided by living at home.

You require a flexible schedule. Do you have employment or family commitments that would make a regular college timetable impossible to follow? If so, community colleges offer a whole host of options, including day, evening or weekend classes, the chance to study part-time, or even online courses.

Drawbacks of Community College

Naturally, while community colleges are great for those on a tight budget or with complicated schedules, they aren't the best choice for everyone. What follows are some of the most important differences between community colleges and their 4-year counterparts to keep in mind during your college search.

Choice of Majors and Courses: Community colleges, though they might offer a range of courses, can never compete with the vast number of majors and combinations of classes you can choose to study at 4-year colleges.

Academic Regimen: If you like to move at a fast rate, and pick up concepts quickly, you may find that community college isn't for you. Bear in mind that they are designed to serve a broad cross-section of society, accepting students of all abilities, therefore the classes may not learn as quickly as you anticipate.

Collegiate Experience: Nothing can compare to the social experience provided by living out at a 4-year college. Community college students may have all the freedom by studying online courses or having flexible schedules, but you can't beat living in a dorm and hanging out on the quad for building a social network that will last you a lifetime!

As with any other choice you'll make throughout your college search, you need to consider what's going to offer the best combination to enable you to balance your personal circumstances and aspirations with your goals for future employment. Do your research to discover whether your profile fits in better with a community college or a 4-year college.

I want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to go to college. This means getting in, finding the right college fit and paying for school. I love to share what I've learned and I hope you can find some useful information useful in your college search.