Overview

Use this introduction to the community college world to explore and learn more about these invaluable institutions of higher learning. The state and local authorities have established the community college in your area to serve you and your needs and requirements. Whether considering a career change or just finishing high school, your community college's courses and programs will help you reach your goals. Community colleges do this at a reasonable cost, too. So, scroll through my community college alphabet and click on the links for more detailed information about an entry.

A - Associate Degrees

An academic degree requiring approximately two years of classes and about 70 credits, the Associate Degree typically is the next educational step after graduating high school. It can be an end in its own right or a bridge to a four-year degree at a college or university.

B - Budget-Friendly Education

Paying for your college education is a big concern for most of us. Most community colleges charge less for tuition than 4-year colleges and universities. Moreover, you don't have to pay for room and board, as you will probably continue to live at home. Community colleges also offer financial aid. Several states and some leaders at the federal level have proposed tuition-free community college. Tennessee, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and California offer eligible students tuition waivers or substantial financial aid.

C - Career Technical Education (CTE)

Career Technical Education prepares

Community Colleges in a Minute offers you a look at community colleges in the United States from 30,000 feet.. Use it as a starting point to explore this very accessible college-level education option. Whether you are considering a two-year Associate's degree or want to upgrade your skills, your local community college has the courses and programs to help you achieve your goals. It also has an informative website. So, explore it, and don't hesitate to contact the college with questions.

The number of Community Colleges in the U.S.A.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, there are approximately 1038 community colleges as of 2023. Nine hundred thirty-two are public colleges, 32 are tribal institutions, and 71 are independent.

The Number of Students Attending Community College:

Community colleges serve millions of students yearly, making them a significant part of the higher education landscape. Find out more about community colleges in the U.S. by visiting the American Association of Community Colleges website.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents more than 1,000 2-year associate degree-granting institutions and nearly 12 million students.

Entrance Requirements

Community colleges generally have open admission policies, making them accessible to a wide range of domestic students. North Carolina, for example, has a state-mandated Open door Admissions policy.

The colleges of the North Carolina Community College System maintain an “Open Door” admissions policy. This policy

According to a 2010 study, roughly 40% of American undergraduate students attend community college but only 5% of students who enrolled in medical school in 2012 had attended community college. Because medical school is so expensive, it is worth it to consider taking premed classes at community college and then transferring to a four-year university to finish out the degree.

Keep reading to learn more about how medical schools view community college credits and to receive tips for premed students attending community college.

How Do Med Schools View Community College Credits?

Getting into medical school is no easy task. Not only do you have to complete a rigorous undergraduate degree, but you also have to find a way to stand out among thousands of applicants. Though it is important to position yourself well to stand out in the crowd, your primary concern as a premedical student should be to learn and understand the content of your premed classes. Taking some of these classes at community college can save you money so you’re able to focus on what really matters instead of worrying about how you’re going to pay your tuition.

Many people assume that colleges

Switching Careers? Consider Going to a Community College

There comes a point in every person’s life where you feel ready for a change. Perhaps you’ve been a stay-at-home parent for the past few years, or maybe you’ve been working the same job since you graduated high school. No matter what your current situation, it is customary to wonder if there might be something better out there for you.

Unfortunately, suddenly picking up and changing your life isn’t as easy as you might like – especially if you are considering a career change. With the cost of college tuition rising steadily, more college graduates enter the workforce each year with limited work experience and low wage expectations. In many fields, it’s impossible to get a job unless you have a degree, but even so, that degree may not be worth much.

So, what do you do if you want to change careers in the middle of your life and you don’t have the knowledge or experience to do it on your own? Consider going to community college. Many community colleges offer prerequisite classes that can prepare you to transfer to a traditional school if you have a particular career path in mind, or you can enter a vocational training program. Either way, choosing community college will save you some money and put you on the path to your new future. Keep reading to learn more.

This video by Linda Raynier offers four tips for a successful career change.

Overcoming the Stigma of Community College

Many people make comparisons between community colleges and “real” colleges, perpetuating the idea that a community college education is somehow less valid than one from a traditional four-year university.

• Community colleges have long been stigmatized, but more and more students are taking to social media to declare their support for this type of education proudly.
• There will always be people who look down on community colleges and the students who attend them, but the truth is that the line between community college and “real” college is becoming more and more blurry.

Canva generated this picture of students having fun in the robotics lab.

Overview of Recent Posts on Social Media

Both community colleges and traditional four-year universities are a type of higher education, but many people make an unfavorable comparison between the two. Though there are many who think that a community college degree is somehow less valuable than one attained at a private college or state university, many community college students are proud of their educational choices.

Here are some posts from social media in the spring of 2017 that show a trend toward greater support for community colleges and the students who attend them:

• On June 3, Twitter (X) user Alexis Isabel posted, “I hate seeing people be ashamed to be going to community college. College is college. I’m proud of everyone who is trying their best.”
• On June 3,