Community college or a four-year school? What to know about the advantages – and differences.
Spring marks the moment when high school students across the country are making choices about their future, whether that’s enrolling in a four-year college or university, entering the workforce or some combination of pathways.
Many students will choose to enroll in community colleges. Soon after the pandemic began, community college enrollment sunk in many places, and the number of recent high school grads enrolling took the biggest dip.About 5.7 million students were enrolled in community colleges in fall 2021, according to the Community College Research Center. Still, thataccounted for more than a third ofundergraduate enrollment at the time.
But not all community college students are recent high school graduates. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal told USA TODAY thatcommunity colleges are “really versatile institutions that are open to everyone and create a lot of opportunities and choices for people.”
So, what is a community college? What are the benefits – and limitations – of attending the institutions? Here’s what you need to know.
Education: Women account for two-thirds of US student loan debt. Here's how it affects them.
Biden administration: Education Department acts to advance transgender, nonbinary inclusion in youth sports
Is it better to go to a community college?
A key difference between community colleges and four-year institutions is the type of degrees and credentials offered, said Laura Perna, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's graduate school of education.
“So community colleges tend to offer associate’s degrees, as well as a host of different certificate programs, and programs that are oriented to the workforce,” she said. And they provide classes students can use to transfer to a four-year colleges.
Community colleges also offer education and training needed by companies and groups in the area, Perna noted. They may also offer classes to accommodate parents, people with full-time jobs and others.
Universities may cost significantly more than community colleges, and students may face taking out significant student loans. However, four-year colleges and universities can also offer different kinds of opportunities for students, such as major athletics programs, additional social environments and more.
Many colleges raised tuition for low-income students: Why did wealthier peers get more aid?
Martha Parham, senior vice president of public relations at the American Association of Community Colleges, said the institutions also serve students in career and technical education programs.
"So everything from nursing and first responder training, allied health training to electrical linemen, commercial driver's license, slot machine repair technicians, really in programs that are shorter term, credentialing programs that are by design meant for learners that are looking to quickly get into a job market," she said.
Hiring boom: A two-year degree lands a green energy job that pays 'a pretty penny'
How do community colleges and universities differ?
Though some community colleges are able to offer a limited number of bachelor's degrees, if you attend a community college, it's likely you'll have to transfer elsewhere to earn a bachelor's degree or beyond.
And if you’re thinking about starting a bachelor's degree at a community college, it's possible,but community college students can face unique challenges.
Approximately four out of five students who start at a community college say they plan to seek a bachelor’s degree, but only about one in six actually accomplish that goal, The Hechinger Report reported. Two-year community colleges have the lowest completion rates of anyhigher education institution.
One note of caution: Not all credits earned at a community college will automatically transfer to the college or university you’re hoping to attend.
Perna warned that this “could have real costs for students.”
If “you’re not able to get academic credit for that course that you took at the community college, you've lost the time that you spent taking that course. You've lost the money that you've used to pay for that course,” she said.
Parham advised that "if students are looking to transfer or looking to attend a university, it is really important" that they talk to the community college and four-year institutionthey are considering to understand the transfer pathway so that they are set up for success at the community college.
"Many colleges have invested in increased academic advising, so the students have a place to go and ask questions and best determine how they can get from their point A to point B," she added.
'Free' college isn't enough: Adults struggle to finish degrees, even with financial aid.
What happened to Biden's free college plan: Cutting cost of higher ed out of feds' reach
How much does community college cost?
Community college isn’t automatically free – though some states have programs that sharply cut community college costs – but the sticker price for community colleges is typically less than four-year colleges and universities.
For the 2022-23 school year, the average published fees and tuition for a full-time student at a public two-year institution was $3,860, compared with $10,940 at a public four-year college.
Free college or federal student loans? These alternatives could help solve student debt crisis
That doesn’t mean community college students don’t still face major financial challenges. A survey of over 80,000 community college students published last year found that a third of respondents said they struggled to get enough food to eat within the last month. The same survey found that about a quarter of students who had to pay rent struggled at least once in the last year to cover their housing.
Kvaal said educational institutions in the U.S. “need to help students with a range of challenges and not focus on just one.”
Eat or pay tuition? Many community college students are forced to choose. But colleges can help.
“Students need financial aid to pay their tuition and their living expenses, transportation and books. We're working hard to make sure that students have the support they need to support their families, childcare, housing, nutrition assistance,” he said.
President Joe Biden has had his sights set on free community college for students. Though it has been cut from previous legislation, it was part of his 2024 fiscal year budget proposal to Congress.
Many colleges raised tuition for low-income students: Why did wealthier peers get more aid?
More coverage from USA TODAY
'The bottom fell out’: For years, Latino college enrollment was on the rise. Then came the pandemic.
Student loan forgiveness: When will student loan payments resume? A new lawsuit aims to lift the payment pause
Cutting college costs: California helps college students cut their debt by paying them to help their communities
Access to education: Many rural and small town students skip college or go local. A new effort aims to change that
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Schools' mission statements tend to be the same. Except when it comes to diversity, equity
Contributing: Chris Quintana, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's the difference between a community college and a university?
