Comparison of Universities & Community Colleges

Community vs. University

Tradition wise university have been known to dominate Community colleges in terms of Academic and opportunities. Meaning that that there were more applications enrolled from high school graduates to Universities. Now the only problem to that, is the amount of debt that arose from universities. It was twice as much or more compared to community colleges. Their tuition are cheap which benefits you in the long run in terms of expenses. Their name might not appeal to others but students can benefit more from there. Students debt are diminish once students transfer from community colleges.

Although universities have more programs, going to a community college for two years will save a lot of money then going to a four year straight out of high school.According to education corner “Community colleges now has as much programs and opportunities as universities have, the only difference is that you’ll save up more money from community colleges.” most important factor students need to do before applying to colleges is to research. Know what they’re getting themselves into. Now the only way to prevent that is to do more research. It’s known that universities appeal to high school graduate but researching the universities your about to apply for and knowing the amount of debt that can come out of there can save money and career. “Average student loan debt for new graduates has reached $27,300.” (Kantrowitz).

The slowly increase the more students apply there. Loan and debt have tuned to business because “Student debt is on track to top $1 trillion this year.” Sadly, high school graduate tends to apply to universities based on their names. Meaning that the names of colleges have turned into brands. Just like Nike compared to And1. Today society their incomparable. Nike would be the best for an average joe, but for anyone who thinks outside of the box would probably end up choosing the one that is fit for him. Not based on how society thinks and whether its accepted or not, but based on how he it’s satisfaction.

Now how does this relate to Colleges? Well, Assuming the average high school graduate would probably apply to a four-university based on the status which it stands. With little effort of researching, the programs they offer and prices of debt they start off with, they end enrolling and regretting as times passes. Now how can this be prevented? Well, going to a community college not, necessarily saying this is the best choice, but going there and finishing your generals there would best benefit for you and save you a ton of money rather than doing it at a university.First and foremost, one of the downfall to applying to universities is the debt they start of from.

According to Kantrowitz “New graduate will now be looking at a price from 27,00 and up” and that’s only for their freshman year. Not necessarily knowing the outcome of their next 3years whether they’re seeking their bachelors. So, the question is, why would you want to put yourself in there. Some students cannot pursue their degree due to high debt and forces them to find other source of income. The problem to that is, as a full time in college, they’ll also be working full time to pay off their debt and at times they end up juggling between jobs to even stay in school. Post graduate leave with debt that’s way over their heads, so the degree they pursue better worth it. Because they’re times when college student get into to liberals are.

The only problem to that is the income that comes from there, majority of the time it equivalent to the price engineer and doctors get, so what this leads to is more worries toward debt and how to pay it off, compared to jobs like engineers and doctor, they will eventually be able to pay off their debt with the amount of income they receive. Taking higher debt can be worth it at times but the job your seeking must be able to be able to pay it off in the long term.Another mistake high school graduate fall upon is the brand over brands. Some students pick certain universities due to their high-end names. Without taking into though that how can it effect their career. How much loan does the school offer and how to pay it off before interest drops in.

Awareness is key specially when applying to college and the only to stay aware is to research. Students must know ahead of time whether that university is right for me. Not based on the school’s fame but academic and career wise. They also must take into consideration the more famous the school is the more expensive. Sadly, and true that university now turned into business. Loans slowly but surely increase as more high school graduates enroll. It’s promised that students will get more opportunities throughout this process and higher paying jobs of with the amount of loans they receive knowing that majority of the students wouldn’t be able to pay if off.

The one thing that can cause the biggest damage to a student is the expense of the college. Roughly university start a high price. Now that includes tuitions, dorms, and other fees. That only comes when you attend Universities because of their high expense, but once you attend community college it’ll a little bit of relief why? Well community roughly start with around $300-900 minimum tuition. Dorms does not affect students because they don’t offer dorms in community colleges. Then student no choice but to stay with their parents for couple more years. Not knowing the benefits but students are saving more money because of free shelter, food, transportation all covered by parents. When all that is covered student now only must worry about the tuition. If its covered by financial aid then it would really benefit that induvial, but if not then working at a part time job would hopefully finish the tuition cost.

Compare that a Universities student not only have to worry about their tuition but also dorms, other fees. It forces them into working more hours and at times they don’t go for a semester just so they can work full time seasonal job to cover their school fees which is expensive. This not only hurts the students but also effects his career. Therefore, before applying to universities think twice because their start up annual fees are expensive.

According to Akers “Today’s students are paying more to go to colleges, but they are also getting more out of it. In this sense they’re getting a better deal.” In some c cases that is true, but there’s difference in opinion. Some may argue that they are paying more but not necessarily do they get more out of it. For instance, for an art degree, majority of the time not a lot of jobs are offered through that degree so it’s not really a win and win situations. Others might agree but again depends on the degree you are seeking such as engineering, science and business. Majority those are the degree that really benefit you the most. Once again Akers believes that enrolling into college can sometimes be risky for student because of its cost.

All in all, Universities really benefits students who seeks degrees that are related to science and math so before enrolling think twice.It is true that universities can help you further your education, but who says community colleges does not do the same. We all know community colleges only offer associates but who said you must stop there? For an example, a person seeking for an engineering degree can go finish his generals at community college and transfer to further his education. The difference between that individual compared to someone who also seeks an engineering degree and decides to go straight to Universities will have to pay more than the first. The result is that one saved more money and the other lost.

Community colleges does not stop a person from pursing a higher degree, but only helps. How? Well you see community are known to be smaller than universities, so realistically speaking their more focused compared to a university where students are in class of around 200-300kids. It’s like preparation for bigger schools, also student feel more comfortable being able to have a direct conversation with the teacher compared to scheduling days ahead to meet the teachers at their office hours. That seems frustrating and community college helps you improve that by getting students started so later they can be more independent and are able to pick up from where they started.