Marilyn Gardner Milton discusses whether or not you should attend a community college or a university.

1. 4/8/22, 11:39 AM Should You Attend A Community College or a University? | Marilyn Gardner Milton and Education
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Should You Attend A Community College
or a University?
by Marilyn Gardner Milton | Apr 8, 2022 | college, Education, higher education, Marilyn
Gardner Milton, university
The choice between attending a community college or a university depends on many
factors, such as your plan for higher education and the requirements for admission.
Despite the advantages of community colleges, many students still prefer to attend 4-year
universities. They offer a variety of facilities and a more rounded student life. Community
colleges usually have 2-year programs that allow students to transfer their associate’s
degree to a full university.
Both types of higher education institutions are valid, how do you pick the right one for
you? Here are some of the differences between community colleges and universities to
help you decide.
Degree Programs
a
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While a community college’s degree programs typically take two years to complete, most
four-year universities require students to take general education courses for their first two
years.
Some students may choose to take the two years of general education at a community
college instead of going to a traditional university. Doing so saves them from having to
take many of the same courses in the first year. This can also allow you to save money, as
community college courses can often be less expensive.
Student Life
Although community colleges are usually cheaper than universities, they do not have the
same level of resources as their four-year counterparts. This means that many students do
not have the opportunity to participate in the typical college experience of living on
campus or participating in campus life.
If you’re choosing to do 2 years at a community college in order to complete your general
education requirements, you may struggle to adapt to university life due to not having
entered the university at the same time as your peers.
Class Size
Most community colleges have small class sizes, which allows for more interaction in the
classroom. However, many of their faculty members are employed part-time, which makes
it hard for students to have access to their professors. With bigger universities, it can often
be the opposite. Your professor may be full-time, but you’re often in bigger classrooms
that can range between 40 to 100 students at times. This can lead to a less personalized
experience and even the possibility that your professor won’t even know who you are off
the top of their head.
Flexibility
Compared to traditional universities, community colleges have a much more diverse
student body. They typically have a student body that ranges from 17 to 60 years old, and
the average age is around 30. Due to the varying types of students, community colleges
are often much more flexible when it comes to your situation. Community colleges often
offer more night classes or are more understanding if you have a job or a child at home
that affects your attendance.
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