When deciding where to continue one’s education, it feels like we have countless options – and simultaneously, it feels like very few paths to follow. The simple truth is that there are limitless possibilities for our educational future; the trick is finding the right path for you.
For example, one choice you’ll have to make is if you want to follow a path to community college or give university life a try. Both have pros and cons, as with many major decisions in life.
Here are some things to consider when the time comes to make your decision.
Community College Pro: Savings
Let’s start with the most obvious positive from the community college standpoint: savings. Community college costs significantly less than university prices. According to some surveys, students who opt for community college save around thirty thousand dollars (as compared to their university peers).
University Pro: Programs Galore
When choosing a university, there are literally hundreds of different options. Within those choices are even more choices, as there are hundreds (if not thousands) of different curriculum and program opportunities. This is the path to choose if you’re looking for something highly specialized. It’s also perfect if you need to customize an education for your particular needs.
Community College Con: Limited Curriculums
One significant downside to community college would be the more limited curriculums. They simply do not have the funds to offer more customized or tailored curriculums. This means that you will have to accept what is provided. Students looking for a highly specialized career path will find that this makes their journey much more challenging.
University Con: The Cost
The most obvious negative for universities would have to be the cost. Attending universities, even local ones tends to cost students a significant amount of money. In many cases, this leads to the students graduating with a fair amount of debt.
Community College Pro: Smaller Class Sizes
Community colleges typically have much smaller class sizes, which is excellent if you need more one-on-one educational experience. In general, the class sizes for community colleges can be expected to be somewhere around 12:1. So, twelve students to a class, give or take.
University Pro: Diversity
Those who attend a university will likely find the experience much more diverse. Not only in terms of curriculums, but experiences, opportunities, and exposure. There will probably be more diverse groups, as universities are a bit more of a melting pot.
Community College Con: Fewer Bells and Whistles
Unfortunately, community colleges tend to offer fewer bells and whistles. Frequently, this means that there are fewer competitive sports teams to join, so if this is your passion, it may prove to be a struggle. There may also be fewer clubs to join. Additionally, don’t expect to find a ton of on-campus housing or meal plans, as these will likely be limited (especially in comparison to university options).
University Con: Strict Requirements
Many universities have stricter requirements. For example, there may be a GPA requirement, or you may be required to live on campus (at least for the first year). The latter can add to the total cost of your educational experience.