Are you about to graduate High School? How about if you already graduated and are thinking of going back to study but it feels like a daunting task and the money you’re earning feels like enough? Then, let me tell you 3 reasons why I went to a Community College right after High School.
1) Budget-Friendly Education
This is the single biggest reason we go to Community College: it’s affordable. According to The Federal Reserve, 1 in 4 American adults are currently paying back student loans. Moreover, it’s a little alarming to know that the average monthly student loan payment is $393. When I decided to attend a 2-Year Community College I slowly started realizing a savings ratio of almost 1-to-3 versus going to a 4-Year Public University, not to mention compared to a private institution. I saved over a third of the cost I would’ve spent otherwise. Think about the savings and about reducing your student debt when deciding where to attend.
2) Learning Like the Big Players
The “Big Players” are the 4-Year institutions, the public and private universities across the country. A big insight nobody shares is that every career has “Core Courses” and that these courses are usually taken the first two years of schooling. Even though the background of the professors might be different, for the most part, the content of these classes will be the same if the college you attend is properly accredited. There are usually curriculums set by committees predetermined to be standard across the state you go to school in. Next time you look at these colleges, don’t underestimate the caliber of their courses.
3) Studying Close to Home
This one is a plus if you go to a Community College in the same city as your parents or your family. Adding to the savings are most of your living expenses, as you live with those who can still help you as you begin your studying career. You might still have to pay for the cost of commuting back and forth, but it can still be cheaper than living on your own, as housing costs could be over half of the cost of going to school. One drawback could be missing the experience of living on-campus, but you can definitely try that if you decide to transfer to a 4-year university. Definitely take living with family into consideration when you’re deciding where to go for college.
I can personally tell you that going to a Community College shaped the path of my life and gave me perspective on the value of getting an education. I understand going to your local Community College is not for everyone. We all look for different things, and I can tell you that if you are looking for the best price for a solid core education close to home then this might be your path. Do your homework and start looking at the quality of the colleges in your area to make an informed decision on what you want to do.