Community College: Taking the Less Traditional Route

By Michele Blandino

Choosing a college is a tough task. Each year, high school seniors all across the country attempt to balance their desire to move away from home with the realities of their bank accounts, all while trying to figure out exactly what it is that they want to spend the next four years studying.

For many, the decision to enroll in a four year college is made automatically; it is what is expected – by parents, by teachers and by peers. And so, beginning as early as their sophomore year of high school, students spend hours scouring the Internet, reading college catalogs and lining up visits in an attempt to find the best school for their needs.

And, when all is said and done, students will receive their degrees, enter the workforce and begin paying back the tens of thousands of dollars of debt they have accumulated over the course of their college careers.

The Cost Factor

College is expensive. Period. For instance, during the 2003-2004 academic year, students enrolled in a private 4-year college can expect to pay approximately $19,000 in tuition and fees. Add to that $8,000 for room and board, and that number jumps to $27,000. Over the course of 4 years, even assuming there are no tuition increases (a very unlikely scenario), the total cost will be close to nearly $120,000. Students choosing public colleges – where tuition and fees average about $5000 - fare somewhat better: the 4-year total including room and board will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000.

Granted, in most cases financial aid and scholarships will absorb some, but not all of these costs, meaning the average student will be hard pressed to leave college totally debt-free.

Indecision

In addition to the prospect of exiting college mired in debt, many students enter college without an inkling of an idea about the type of career they would like to have. And, while it is true that the “college experience” itself offers valuable life lessons, it can be hard to justify the cost when the student isn’t working toward a particular goal.

Now, this doesn’t mean that the college experience should be reserved only for those with tangible career goals (or unlimited funds), but if money is a concern, students should be encouraged to look into two-year community colleges as a place to begin their college career.

An Improved Reputation

By and large, community colleges have shed their reputation of being grossly inferior to their 4 year counterparts. Once widely scorned as “13th grade,” many community colleges today have programs developed in partnership with 4-year colleges and universities that allow students to begin their degree study at the community college level by completing general education degree requirements during the first two years so that the final two years of study are largely devoted to the student’s chosen major. And, because a partnership has been formed between the two schools, most, if not all, of the credits will transfer.

A Great Start at a Fraction of the Cost

Here’s where the appealing part comes in. Two years at a community college will cost less than one year’s tuition at most public colleges and universities. While the per credit costs vary widely from school to school, $80 per credit is typical (unless you’re lucky enough to live in California where residents can take advantage of a community college education for $18 per credit), which means a full-time student (typically, someone who takes 30 credits per year) will spend $4800 for tuition over two years. While there are no room and board costs, students considering this option will need to account for travel expenses and other expenditures (food, books, supplies). Still, it is easy to see that choosing to begin at a community college can save you tens of thousands of dollars while not compromising the quality of your education.

Where to Begin

Students who want to consider community college can learn more by speaking with their high school guidance counselor. A great place to begin checking out colleges is CollegeNet.