Community College Advantages

Edward Swisshelm
Feb 2, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Nov 11

Cherry blossoms in full bloom frame a modern glass building near a green lawn. Overcast sky and distant trees create a serene atmosphere. — Cherry blossoms in full bloom frame a modern campus building, creating a picturesque spring scene on a bright, clear day.

If you are fortunate enough to live in a community with a community college, you should make the time in your schedule to check and see what kind of classes they can offer that can help you advance your education and your career. You might be amazed at the courses you can take, even at the community college level. I know that I have found some of the courses offered and the degree of learning that takes place to be quite impressive. I think that many people who have in the past disregarded the vital role that community colleges play in providing an affordable venue for learning will be pretty amazed as well.

Community colleges have an undeserved reputation for inferiority when this could not be further from the truth. Many of the nation's nurses are products of a community college education. In many states, the associate's degree nursing programs are quite rigorous and provide more clinical experience than most bachelor's degree nursing programs. This means that students graduating nursing school with an associate's degree are often better prepared to deal with patient care than those with a 'superior degree.' This by no means is meant to disparage B. S. Nursing students at all. Most hospitals will not even consider you a candidate for an administrative nursing position unless you have a Bachelor's degree. This is only meant to point out that associate degree programs can be competitive and inclusive despite common misconceptions.

A person with a blue book stands smiling on a campus lawn. Other students sit on the grass chatting. Trees and a building are in the background. — A student holding a notebook stands confidently in a grassy area, surrounded by a group of friends sitting together, enjoying a discussion under the shade of trees on a college campus.

Of course, there are other benefits to learning on the community college level, at least for the first two years of your education. One of those benefits that speak volumes to me is that community college teachers are dedicated to teaching. They are not working on their research or books. They are there to help you achieve your goals, which means you aren't an interruption in the pursuit of your own goals.

Community colleges also offer an excellent buffer for students who may not have been academically on top of their game in high school or those returning to college after a long absence from academia. You won't find the large auditorium classes on the community college level that significant universities are famous for offering. You also won't find that teachers do not have time for their students. There is a lower teacher-to-student ratio in community colleges so that professors will have time to address the needs of students.

Three focused students in a classroom setting, writing notes. The one in focus wears a yellow striped sweater. Bright and studious mood. — Students focusing intently on their work in a classroom setting, showcasing concentration and dedication to their studies.

Another benefit is that even if you do not go on to get your four-year degree after completing your community college education, you will find that your earning potential is significantly improved over those who do not have at least a two-year college education. Research also indicates that students who complete a two-year degree program at a community college are more likely to finish and get a four-year degree than those who begin their educational experience at a four-year university.

A few problems can be associated with a community college education, and you should take note of these so that they do not become a problem for you. First, some universities do not accept many of the courses offered on the community college level as transfer credits. Ensure you know what studies are required for the university you are planning to transfer to avoid this. You also may find that you are limited in

the courses you can take and the times in which they will be available. Make sure you have all the limited courses well ahead of time so that you aren't taking another year of classes to graduate.

Three women smiling and pointing at a laptop screen in a bright room. Papers with colorful charts are on the table, creating a collaborative mood. — Three women enthusiastically collaborate on a project, gathered around a laptop, as colorful graphs and notes spread across the desk.

A community college education can be just as enlightening as a university education if you enter the process with an open mind and a willingness to learn. If possible, I hope you take advantage of this much less expensive option before moving on to university courses.