Community Colleges
A Great Place to Get Started

f you are considering going to college, it’s time to give community college a closer look. Nearly half of all undergraduate students in the United States are enrolled at community colleges. Community colleges offer career programs that prepare students for immediate employment and transfer programs that prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Here are some reasons why community college may be the right choice for you.

You want to save money.
Lower tuition is one of the major benefits of attending a community college. Tuition at community colleges is about one-third the cost of most four-year schools. Many students begin their undergraduate studies at community colleges and then transfer to four-year colleges. By living at home, students also save money on room and board. You can save thousands on your college education by taking the first two years at a community college.

You are undecided about your career goals.
A community college is a great place to figure out what to do with your life. Maybe your friends are off to four-year schools, but you’re not ready to make the leap. That’s okay. By taking a couple of classes at the local community college, you can earn transferable college credit while deciding what career you’d like to pursue. Because tuition is low, you can afford to explore different fields or majors.

You want to get skills for a high demand job.
Community colleges prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Students can choose from hundreds of degree and certificate programs in high demand fields such as health care, business, engineering, information technology, and public service.

You want to work while taking classes
Community colleges offer flexible schedules for those with work or home responsibilities. Community colleges offer convenient day, evening, weekend, and online classes to fit your busy schedule. Students can complete degrees on a full-time or part-time basis.

You have never considered college
So, you may not think you’re college material. Or perhaps your parents never went to college. Many community college students become the first in their families to earn a degree. A college degree means opportunity for a higher salary, career advancement and a better quality of life. The average expected lifetime earnings for a graduate with an associate’s degree are $1.6 million - about $400,000 more than a high school graduate earns.

You want personalized attention
Community colleges are committed to student success. They offer a variety of support services to help students be successful both inside and outside the classroom, including academic and personal counseling, tutoring, and career services.

Whether your goal is to earn an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year school, community colleges are a great choice to get started.

Editorial content provided by Jessica Novak at Lakeland Community College.