The main advantage that a community college provides is its much lower cost than four-year colleges. Public universities can cost on average around $10,000 per year; private schools as much as $25,000 per year; vocational schools vary from $8,000 to $15,000. Tuition at community colleges, by contrast, averages $2,000 to $3,000 per year. This makes them an extremely affordable option.
Another key benefit in attending a community college is that it can serve as an intermediate between high school and a university. A student might choose a community college to get a feel for college-level work before attending a university. Most community college classes are basic survey classes, and credits are generally transferable to a four-year school and count as part of a bachelor's degree.
Though some students use community colleges as a waystop on the way to a university, others use it as an end in itself. After two years of completing course requirements, students can receive an associate's degree. This will allow them to earn more money and compete in the job market more successfully than their non-degree-holding counterparts.
If you didn't do well academically in high school, you can repair the damage at a community college. If you're trying to get into a university, then earning a high GPA during two years at community college can often give you the academic boost you need to get into your dream school.