University or Community College?

All You Need to Know

So, you're thinking about the future of your education.  Or maybe it's your son's or daughter's education.  Either way, deciding where to go and what to do after high school can be a very daunting task - what you do here will effect you for a very long time, if not the rest of your life.

That's why it's important to know going in what to expect and what your options are.  Now, if you're reading this article, it would seem you've already chosen to go to college.  If so, then the decision lies between going to a 4-year university and a junior/community college.  Both options work best for different families, so I'll try to point out the good and bad things associated with each one.  That way, you can make an educated decision for yourself.

Community College (C.C.):

Pros:

-Cheaper:  Saving money is always a good thing.  Yearly expenses for a student taking 15 units average around $11,653, but this could be substantially lowered through living at home, buying used books, etc.

-Smaller class sizes:  This is always a plus.  More time with the instructor, and more personalized instruction

-Professors that care:  The instructors here don't do as much research if they do any at all, meaning they spend much more of their time and effort on teaching effectively.  They generally know their stuff and are passionate about teaching.

-Proximity:  Going to a C.C. close to home means less travel, and if you live at home, less money and better meals.

-Ease of transition:  Easier change from high school to C.C. than to a university

Cons:

-Professors may be less "esteemed":  This isn't usually a problem, but they aren't generally big names in their fields
-Lack of resources:  A C.C. would probably have less extensive campus resources, i.e. libraries, computer labs, advising and counseling centers, student groups, etc.

-Limited or no on-campus housing:  This may or may not be an issue for you.