Community college enrollment has increased across the country in recent years, and there are many reasons for the influx of students. A sluggish economy, lower tuition rates, and high-quality education are just a few of those reasons. With community colleges finding a new role in educating students in America today, numerous compelling reasons exist to give these two-year schools another look.
Lower Rates, Less Debt
One of the top reasons students are considering community colleges over four-year schools today is the issue of cost. According to Yahoo Finance, the average annual cost to attend community college during the 2010-2011 school year was $8,734, which included tuition and books, room and board, and living expenses. In contrast, the annual cost to attend a four-year school during the same year was $18,133. Even public institutions, which are supposed to offer a more budget-friendly option to four-year students, had an average annual cost of $13,297.
Tuition costs for two-year institutions hover at around $2,000-$3,000 per year. That amount is much more affordable than the tuition at four-year schools, which can run as high as $8,000 or more for public institutions and up to $50,000 or more for private schools. Students who qualify for significant scholarship money may find the four-year schools affordable, but those who don’t get any financial help may be out of luck.
Debt is another concern for students heading to four-year schools. Yahoo also cites the average amount of debt a student