Community College or University

Choosing a college or deciding to even go to college is one of the most stressful things that we have had to do in our lives so far. This is especially stressful when you don’t have the money to pay for college or don’t know what you want to major in. College is very expensive and the costs add up quickly. Community college is less expensive and is not much different than a university. You can start majoring in something in a community college and then transfer your credits to a university. Many people choose a university because they think that community college is only for those who can’t get into a university, but that is not true.

We will discuss the similarities and differences in a community college and a university throughout this paper. A community college is much cheaper way to get a college education. Community colleges have a flexible schedule that will work around your schedule for the most part. Anyone can go to a community college, they don’t look at SAT scores or GPA’s, so if you didn’t do well in high school, but still want a college education, community college is a good choice. Community colleges have a wide array of classes available, career-oriented and not.If your still not sure what career you want to pursue you can get a little more time to figure that out while you take classes that you need for any degree; such as English, math, science, etc. along with exploring career possibilities.

Just like high school, you have core classes for degrees in college. You can take those core classes at a community college while still trying to figure out what you want to do in life. Or if you know what you want to do when it comes to a career you can take classes that pertain to that career and worry about your core classes later. That way you can get an entry level job and have experience.You can also get your associates degree going to a community college. Many kids like to go right from high school to a university. If you go to a university you get more of the college atmosphere.

There are sports, clubs, fraternities, and other activities that you will find only at a university. You really get to experience student life. You can live on campus away from home, you really have control over life your parents aren’t around to make choices for you. Universities are usually recognized by name; the more prestigious it is the more people think of you, which is why most kids choose to go to a university right out of high school.Out of state tuition for college is very expensive, in state tuition is a little better but not much. At a university you have almost everything right at your fingertips on campus. You have a very wide variety of majors to choose from, as well as great resources such libraries.

Universities often have performances, cultural events, and guest lecture series on campus. If you are going to a community college and decide you want to get a bachelors degree you can transfer your college your credits to a university. Not all of the credits will transfer over, but most will.A lot of kids go to a community college for two years and then transfer to a university. Doing that is a lot cheaper than going to a university for four years. The average annual cost for tuition to a university is $11,990, without room and board, the average annual cost to a community college is $2,713 (College Board). A university has a lot of on-campus help with places like libraries and lecture halls and other things whereas a community college doesn’t.

Community colleges have a much more flexible schedule than universities; community college will work around your schedule.You also have more time to decide what you want to major in, without the high cost of switching your major in a university. It is much easier to explore majors in a community college. Once you understand the differences and similarities it is easier to choose what type of college you want to go to. College is expensive anyway you look at, but if you go in with a plan it might make it a little easier. Whether it is a community college or university, at least you are getting an education.It is nice to know that at least you went to college and you have some type of higher education background.

It is hard and stressful choosing a college but it doesn’t get any easier from here.