Community college classes are significantly less expensive than classes at a traditional college or university. The difference in price is partly due to the fact that community colleges are commuter schools, so students do not pay for room and board. According to the website Fast Web, community college credits cost students less than half the price of credits in traditional universities.
Community college is an ideal choice for a student with a low grade point average or someone who is returning to school after several years. Most community colleges require prospective students to complete testing to determine which classes they can take, but they allow all students to take classes, regardless of their grade point average or SAT scores. A community college can also offer students who struggled in high school an opportunity to bring up their grade point average before applying to a four-year school.
Community college is a good choice for students who are undecided about their major and future career goals. Students who change their major at a four-year university may have to pay extra fees in order to take additional classes. The low tuition rates at community colleges make it easier for students to try out different classes before committing to a major. In addition, students who know the major they want to pursue may choose to take their general education classes at a community college to save money before completing the specialized classes required for their degree at a four-year university.
Community colleges are ideal for students who wish to continue living at home while attending school. Most communities have at least one community college nearby, so students do not have to move away or commute long distances to attend school. In addition, community colleges are designed for students who work and have other obligations, offering evening and distance learning classes.
According to Sallie Mae, professors and instructors at community colleges spend more time focused on teaching and less on research. This means that students will usually receive more attention from professors at community colleges than at four-year universities. In addition, community colleges feature smaller class sizes, making it easier for you to ask for help and receive specialized attention from your instructor.