Essay on Differences Between Community Colleges and Universities

Most high school students find the process of researching colleges an exhilarating and joyful time. Teens are given power, most have never had before, over their lives; creating the steppingstones into adulthood. One of the first things to be sorted out is what type of institution they wish to attend. Students can choose to apply to a four-year university, and possibly move away from home or stay local and attend a community college. To some, the decision may be clear-cut and simple but others may find it challenging. Both require weighing the pros and cons. In the end, both options offer the result of receiving an education, they hold their notable differences in price, environment, and opportunities. Regardless, the decision should not be taken lightly and every aspect of average life at both community college and university should be considered.

For students, the financials behind prospective schools play a huge role in making a decision. "The financially smart choice," is a phrase commonly used to describe community college. It is not completely wrong; community college is significantly less expensive than most universities. Since the student commutes oftentimes the only thing being paid for is the tuition and fees, parking pass, and textbooks. That leaves the price of community college to cost no more than $10,000 a semester (though it is usually much less than that). Universities have a much higher ticket prices, and it is not uncommon to see prices range from $13,000 to $30,000 a semester. Granted at a university there are expenses that a community college does not have like room & board and meal plans. The overall cost of either institution can be offset by things like scholarships, grants, taking out loans, and financial aid. Most community colleges and universities also offer on-campus jobs that have flexible hours. Furthermore, some financial aid packages even offer work-study opportunities.

Leaving home and getting a taste of freedom and adulthood is something that is commonly sought after by teens nearing the end of their high school careers. For some teens, the structure and familiarity that home offers are something needed for the student to be their best selves. Community college offers this by having students commute from home to campus. This commute also allows for a clear divide between school life and personal life, which can sometimes be tricky to bounce at a university. Going to a university presumably entails moving from home which allows students to have full freedom in the decisions they make; simply making their home a safety net to fall back on. Some students need this independence and freedom to fully grow into their personalities. Both community colleges and universities offer an overall environment of academic success. It is becoming more and more common for both community colleges and universities to offer resources to help students succeed.

Finally, a huge weight on the scale is what kind of opportunities community colleges and universities allow, respectively. Both community colleges and universities allow students to complete a certain level of education. The standard community college route is graduating with an associate degree within two years of enrolling in classes. From there a student transfer to a university where the next two years of schooling are completed allowing a bachelor's degree to be earned. At a university, it is standard to complete a bachelor's degree in one place, and in four years, eliminating the need to transfer/move locations. If a student keeps an average pace, the time frame of receiving a bachelor's degree is the same regardless of starting at a community college or university. As far as the variety of courses offered, most degrees start with the first two years consisting of completing general education classes. The last two years of schooling are used to take classes that more closely resemble what said student is studying. Because of that, community colleges will have similar classes to those at a university, although the university may have more "niche" electives than the community college.

After looking into the differences between community colleges and universities, there is no definite right or wrong choice. Both institutions are just as similar as they are different; both offer an environment to learn. At the end of the day, the prospective student needs to figure out what is important in their individual college experience and what will help them succeed the most in the long run. Once this information is established it can be used as a foundation for their ultimate decision.