United States Community Colleges

Diverse Educational Options

This is not your father’s community college. In the past the local community college had the reputation as a jumping off point for every high school graduate slacker that couldn’t cut it in college.

Guess what? The U.S. community college system harbors some of the most technologically cutting-edge programs. Their biggest fault—lack of advertising—may be your biggest advantage. Generally community colleges offer these benefits:

  • High-quality two-year Associates degrees that lead to immediate careers in a range of fields.
  • Cutting edge high-tech programs in biotechnology and nanotechnology.
  • Transfer programs designed to provide motivated students with the first two years of an undergraduate degree before transfer to a four-year college.
  • Affordability.
  • Close to home.

Find out what types of educational opportunities may be happening right now at a community college near you.

Low Cost

Community colleges are your cheapest college option. You pay for every unit you take rather than a full-time or part-time tuition. These fees are typically very low, where you’ll only be paying a couple hundred dollars a semester for a full-time schedule. This is the perfect way to save money and still get a quality education. Even better: most community college students qualify for some kind of financial aid.

No SAT

If you do plan on transferring to a four-year institution following the completion of your general education, you can do so without having taken the SAT. Even though standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are less and less important, they nevertheless remain a standard admissions requirement. So, if you go to a community college for two years and then transfer out to a school that offers bachelor’s degrees, there’s no SAT required.

High Tech Hubs

Believe it or not a growing number of community colleges across the nation are hotbeds for nano and biotech programs, sometimes called “small-tech.” Students have the unique opportunity to engage in low-cost, very technical programs that give them the skills to go to work in labs, nano-tech manufacturing companies, even get well-paying government jobs working with cutting edge materials and products.

Fast-track to a Well-Paying Job

If you want to pursue a technical career, become a nurse, or computer technician, a community college might be the perfect environment in which to get it done and quickly, no nonsense. Think about it: in two years you can have an Associates degree and enter the workforce with a well-paying instant job. Your buddies are still in school and broke.

The community college experience is well-suited to students and adult learners that want to fast-track a career and build practical skills quickly and affordably.

Fully Transferable: 2+2 Programs

High school programs are leaving some students behind when it comes to college prep. A growing number of students are absolutely unprepared for a college career. Enter community colleges: they are specializing in remedial coursework and one-on-one counseling services built just for students not quite equipped to make the transition to college right out of high school.

One of the most flexible educational tracks is the transfer program. How it works: students that may not be academically ready for college, unable to afford college or wish to stay near home, may study for two years then transfer to a four-year college of their choice to complete the final two years of a baccalaureate degree.

Working Professors

Community colleges are often portrayed as providing less than quality education. But in most cases the education is equivalent to the two years you’d receive at a four-year college or university.

  • Community college professors usually continue working in the field in which they teach. This means your professors bring the most relevant and up-to-date skills and information to the classroom.
  • Many community colleges offer students cutting edge labs and technological equipment that has been donated by leading corporations. Computer labs have top notch routing and switching networks, medical technicians practice skills on the latest equipment.

Applying for Admission to Community College

Applying to a community college is a completely different process from that of a four-year college or university. There may be a waiting list, but you won’t be rejected because of grades or low SAT scores.

Of course you must complete an application like any other institution. Follow submission requirements and attach all necessary documents.

Community college is a viable choice for school and don’t let anyone make you think otherwise. You can save money, get a quality education and pursue a diverse educational pathway.