Courtesy of Rachel Garlinghouse
- I teach at a community college and think more students should consider attending one.
- Community colleges offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional 4-year universities.
- Community colleges also offer diverse services and can serve as a stepping stone in education.
For almost a decade, I taught composition at a mid-size university. I absolutely adored the campus, my colleagues, and my students. However, many of my students struggled.
Some were at a traditional 4-year university because their parents expected it of them. Others attended because a university is generally viewed as a more prestigious offering when compared to a community college, a trade program, or going directly into the workforce. Many simply were not ready to make the huge leap from high school to university life.
I recently returned to the classroom, this time as a composition instructor at a community college. As someone who attended community college myself, I am reminded of the many ways community college can be a wonderful option that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Community college is less expensive
Generally speaking, attending a community college is less expensive than a traditional 4-year university. The average total cost of attending community college for two years was $7,560 in 2024, according to Education Data Initiative, whose researchers track education data. That’s far less than many students pay for one year of tuition at a private or state university.
Given the current economy, it may make sense for some students to take a class that is offered at both a university and a community college, one that’s transferable, at the less-costly institution.
Likewise, students who commute to campus, possibly living at home, may save money.
Community colleges may offer smaller class sizes
In my teaching, I’ve seen that community college classrooms sometimes have fewer students than the same course at a university.
This smaller student-teacher ratio means a student may get more guidance and attention from their instructor, possibly resulting in better retention of the material and a better grade.
Because of the type of class I teach, my class sizes have been capped to a reasonable number at both types of institutions, but I know many teachers in other departments do not have the same luxury.
Community colleges offer an intimate college experience
With an often smaller campus to navigate, fewer instructors per department, and even a smaller student body depending on the schools you’re comparing, a community college student isn’t just a number. In these more intimate spaces, they can get to know their teachers, their campus, and their peers, creating more opportunities for accountability and support.
Put simply, community college offers, no surprise, an unmatched sense of community. I know some argue that the community college experience isn’t “the real world,” but I believe that a community college helps a student build more soft skills, which are highly sought after by employers.
Community college has services to help students
Much like a university, community college also offers students the services they may need, such as veteran support, mental health counseling, career guidance, library assistance, support or hobby groups, and much more.
I’ve also heard from students that it can be easier to plug in at a community college, potentially with shorter wait times for popular services.
Community college can be a stepping stone
For some, community college can be the perfect stepping stone between educational degrees. There’s also the option to attend a trade program, earn a certificate, or a special department (think cosmetology or dental assistant) and then return to community college to add more certifications to their resume, such as cybersecurity or medical billing and coding.
There are many paths to choose from and the familiarity of the community college experience can bring comfort to a student, encouraging them to continue in their education, seeing the school as a place of safety and support rather than intimidation.
