Is Community College Good?

Campus is the new alternative to online community college that provides a 100% live and online Associate of Arts in Business Administration degree program. We’re on a mission to maximize access to a world-class education, starting with our career-focused business program that equips students from across the U.S. with a solid foundation in core business principles to set them up for success no matter what their next step is.

When it comes to choosing where to go to college, there are a lot of options to consider. One of the best practices we encourage students to use is to start asking themselves questions about what is most important for them and their families.

What are their goals and reasons for attending college? For some students, attending a community college may be the best option for meeting those goals.

In this post, we'll share six reasons why community is good for many students.

1. Affordability

One of the biggest concerns for many students today is the cost of college. Going to college is already a major investment in yourself, including time and effort. Avoiding large amounts of student debt is more relevant than ever before in the last decade.

According to Education Data, the average student in the United States borrows over $30,000 to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

However, attending a community college can significantly decrease the amount of loan debt you take on, whether you’re looking to obtain an associate degree or potentially earn credit toward a bachelor’s. This is why it's often considered one of the biggest benefits of community college.

Today, hundreds of community college programs across the country offer tuition that is less than $10,000 per year.

Not to mention, many local community colleges offer much lower tuition rates for students who live within a specific region or district in their state. The College Board reported that in 2020-21, public two-year schools had an in-district tuition of just $3,770.

Is community college good? Absolutely, and these free programs are a testament to their accessibility and value. Today, there are even numerous free community college programs that further increase access to higher education!

Or, if you’d prefer to stay a little closer to home (or not leave your home at all), there are also online community college programs with lower costs as well. While there are many options out there, when it comes to the Campus online associate degree in business program, we strive to keep our costs low, starting with our tuition, which is lower than the maximum Federal Pell Grant award.

2. Smaller Class Sizes

Do community colleges offer quality education? Absolutely, and one aspect that supports the quality of education at community colleges is the smaller class sizes. These settings make it easier to connect with professors, TAs, and peers.

In contrast, many larger four-year colleges have classes with upwards of 100 students, making it a bit more difficult to ask questions or engage with your professor as frequently.

Smaller class sizes also allow for more individualized attention and feedback, which can help you better understand the material and succeed academically.

If you prefer more intimate classroom settings, community college is a great place to be!

3. Flexibility

Choosing to attend a community college can potentially give you a lot more flexibility than a traditional four-year college, too. Life can get hectic or overwhelming at times, so it's important to maintain a healthy, sustainable school-life balance.

Whether you're a caretaker for your family, working full time, or have any other major responsibilities in your life, a community college program can help you balance your studies with your other obligations.

Wondering, "Is community college good for working adults?" Yes, indeed. The flexibility offered by these institutions often accommodates busy schedules, allowing individuals to balance work and studies effectively. And more often than not, if students actively check in with their professors and academic advisors, they can find solutions to issues with assignment deadlines and course expectations.

Community colleges overall tend to have more flexible scheduling for students with busy lives, many of which, for example, take advantage of night classes offered by their school so that they can meet their responsibilities during the day.

4. Shorter Commutes

Not having to travel too far from one location to another is a significant time- and money-saver.

Whether you would have to take public transportation or drive yourself, it can eat away at your time and your finances. Attending a community college that’s closer to home – or attending classes online – can help you avoid these additional expenses and challenges.

The proximity to home also drives a more local sense of community as well, considering that many community colleges serve the area to some capacity, whether that be helping residents join the workforce or offering volunteer programs to support initiatives within and around the city.

5. Practical Education

Community colleges have emerged as major contributors to workforce training, providing practical programming designed to meet the needs of local industries.

These programs often focus on vocational skills, offering both degree and certificate programs in fields like nursing, business, and technology. By aligning the curriculum with industry demands, community colleges ensure that their graduates are equipped with the relevant skills required in the job market.

Considering the increasing demand for practical skills, is community college good for vocational training? Absolutely. These institutions forge partnerships with local businesses, ensuring graduates are equipped with relevant skills sought after in the job market.

This also fosters strong relationships between regional businesses and the colleges, further improving the employment prospects for graduates! When you're considering which community college you'd like to attend, look into their placement rates and any existing relationships they may have with local employers.

6. Save Money Before Transferring to a Four-Year College

Whether you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce as soon as possible, attending a community college can be life-changing.

Beyond opening doors to employment opportunities that would otherwise be incredibly challenging for a person who only has a high school diploma or GED, community colleges provide students with increased earning potential.

According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), the median lifetime earnings of a person who holds an associate degree are almost $500,000 more than that of a high school graduate. Here’s a visual comparison of median lifetime earnings for degree holders to give you a better idea:

Can students still transfer to a university after attending a community college? Absolutely! Are community colleges a good option for those unsure about their academic path? Yes, they serve as a stepping stone, enabling students to explore their interests and career aspirations before committing to a four-year university. Many students have started at a community college first before transferring into a university or four-year college.

Beyond community college being an affordable option, it also allows students to showcase their academic performance and potentially attend four-year institutions they otherwise would not have been able to.

Taking community college classes is a great way to boost your GPA and get a better feel for any field you may be interested in, especially if you did not perform as well as you would have liked to in high school.

Going to a community college doesn’t have to be just a stepping stone from one institution to the next, either.

Is community college good for job prospects? Indeed, as more companies reconsider degree requirements, graduates find themselves well-positioned for various career opportunities.

If you've wondered about what career opportunities you can pursue with a community college degree, you might be surprised to learn that the jobs you can apply for are growing. Several major companies are starting to drop their bachelor’s degree requirements for certain jobs, making it easier to jump right into the workforce when you’re ready. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t set yourself up for professional success by learning the soft skills employers look for in ideal candidates.

By taking classes in a community college or earning an associate degree, you’re not only getting experience with tools needed in your field of interest – you’re also learning lifelong skills that can help give you an edge over the competition.

Thinking About Community College?

Community colleges are an excellent pathway for students looking to achieve their academic and career goals without taking on mountains of student debt. And thankfully, there is no shortage of options available to students across the country looking to take that next step in their academics or toward their career goals.

Curious about the potential ROI of attending a community college? Studies show that graduates often enjoy increased earning potential compared to high school graduates. Consider this as you make your decision about whether community college is good for you.

So why wait? Take some time to do some research to find the right choice for your college education today.

If you’d like to learn more about Campus and our online associate degree in business program, request more info or reach out to us at admissions@campus.edu.