Posted On: February 26, 2010

There are a few different options you can consider when you’re looking into college enrollment. Although most people consider college to encompass expansive campuses, 200+ student classrooms, and fraternity and sorority rows, there is a smaller alternative that can be a better fit for you: Community College. For those who still desire to work toward better career options but dislike the characteristics of a large university, these types of schools can be a fantastic choice.

Cost can be a major deciding factor for students in their search for higher learning. Fortunately, the cost of an associate’s degree is much less than a bachelor’s. Most associate’s degrees cost an average of $8,000, which is significantly less when compared to the average university tuitions that can run around $35,000 to $45,000. For less than half the price students can take liberal classes at their leisure, online coursework (if available), and in two to three years they can customize their education to fit a more condensed schedule.

Time can sometimes be crucial for students who don’t have the funds or the desire to work a part-time job while going to school for five years. Community colleges typically last two to three years and reduce the amount of prerequisite coursework in order to allow students to focus on their main area of study. While universities attempt to give students a broader range of education community colleges work to hone their skills so that their competence in the field is heightened.

The larger environments of college universities can be extremely unappealing to many students. The desire for a more intimate teaching method can turn them toward community college campuses very quickly. Smaller classrooms can give students the opportunity to interact with each other and their instructors more frequently, multiplying their capabilities to absorb information. With their comfort factor increased they feel more relaxed at being able to speak out, debate their opinions, and improve their listening skills.

For some, the prospect of community college will not seem appealing, but for others it could be the perfect fit. Understanding your personal needs and career goals and applying them to your college options can help you make the right choice. By taking the time to plan out your future you could find yourself quite satisfied with a smaller three-year college campus.