Community colleges provide the most accessible form of higher education available because of the many barriers they eliminate. Regardless of the track that you choose within the college's educational programs, these schools are inherently open admission; prior academic problems are not held against you when you apply for admission. Community colleges also charge lower tuition rates than do four-year colleges. The location of community colleges, some in even the smallest towns, makes them accessible to students who cannot relocate. All of these factors combine to make for an experience that is more friendly to students with less flexibility to move, less financial means, or a slightly flawed academic background.
One of the most popular functions of community colleges is that of a junior college. Students can attend classes at a community college for two years and finish an associate's degree before transferring those credits to a four-year college. This path allow students to save money and provides a smoother transition to the rigors of a four-year university. Students can finish the basics in general studies or liberal arts survey courses at the community college while deciding on a potential major without spending large sums of money.
Community colleges play a significant role in vocational and technical training. Some cities do not have four-year universities, and even those that do have higher costs that make it prohibitive for many to attend. Community colleges offer classes in vocational fields such as solar and wind power installation, crime scene investigation, plumbing, paralegal studies, aviation repair, and cyber-security technician, all training people to perform specific jobs. As a result, community colleges not only enrich the student but provide a benefit to the community as a whole by producing more skilled workers in these fields.
Community colleges also cater to nontraditional students and working adults who are either seeking a degree or attending particular classes to aid in their professional lives. The location of most community colleges makes it easy to enroll, as there is no need to relocate, and the costs make them accessible for students with families. Some working adults may elect to take enrichment courses that can aid them in the ability to perform their job.