One of the advantages of choosing a small community college is that the classes are typically very small, which allows for a more personalized approach to education. Small classes give professors the opportunity to answer more questions during class time, dedicate more time to understanding each individual student's strengths and weaknesses, and get to know their students in a more personal way. Many students prefer small class sizes because they stay more focused and motivated.
In general, small community colleges have a much lower tuition rate than large universities. This is one great advantage if you're looking to save some extra money while completing your general education requirements. It's not a bad strategy to take your "basic" classes, i.e., English, math, science, history, at a lower-priced community college before transferring to a more expensive university to delve into your preferred area of study.
Unless you're not planning to transfer to a larger university at some point during your studies, you want to ensure that the courses you take at a small community college will transfer to your school of choice. Many large community colleges have deals with universities that allow their general education courses to transfer over, but courses from smaller community colleges may not be acknowledged. Check with your academic advisor about transferring options before you start your schooling, as you certainly don't want to have to retake classes you've already passed.
Some students find the decreased social environment of small community colleges to be a disadvantage. Large universities with college campuses, Greek life and sporting events have an entirely different culture than small community colleges. Some students miss having a sports team to cheer for on the weekends, spending time with their friends after class on the campus grounds, or being able to live in a dorm. If you're the type of student who prefers to keep his social life out of his college life, however, a small community college may be the perfect fit.