There are about 1,123 community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of approximately 12.4 million students. Community colleges generally have lower costs, and there is currently a movement to make community colleges free for 2 years if students meet certain requirements. In California, community colleges are essentially free for low - income students, who qualify for a waiver of the registration fees (the Board of Governors, of BOG waiver). Community colleges in Oregon offer in-state tuition to California residents, and many community colleges participate in regional networks that offer tuition breaks to students from neighboring states.
Community colleges can be a great access point for students who are worried about college costs. If you decide to go this route, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Good planning is essential for success
Graduation rates for community colleges tend to be much lower than those for 4-year colleges. There are many factors that play into this, but two major factors are planning/counseling and the commitment of students going into a community college. Before you start, know what your goal is. Do you want to transfer? Look into guarantee transfer programs that will keep you on the right track, get you through to transfer more quickly, and guarantee admission into a university. Are you looking for an AA or certificate? Meet with a counselor early and often to make sure you are taking the right classes.
Different schools have different policies on student advising; while mandatory counseling is built into the program at many universities, at a community college you will most likely have to take the initiative.
Not all community colleges are the same
Different community colleges have different strengths and weaknesses. It's an obvious point, but one often overlooked by students. If you're interested in culinary arts, American River College in Sacramento may be your best choice. If you're interested in welding, Butte College has a great program. Recording Arts Technology? Try Los Medanos college.
Part of the lower completion rates at community college may have to do with the fact that students don't pay attention to finding a good fit to the same extent they do with universities. Of course, one of the financial advantages of community colleges is that they are ubiquitous, and if you go to the local community college you can live at home and save money. But if the local community college doesn't have the program you want, you may be wasting your time. This can lead to discouragement and cause students to quit. So to increase your chances of success, make sure the college has the program you want. College Board has a great search tool to help you find the college that best meets your needs and interests.
Understand Transfer Requirements
In California, if you take any college classes (at a community college or elsewhere) after graduating high school, you will generally have to complete the full 2-year lower division requirements before transferring to a UC or CSU school. Some students think they'll just go to the local community college for a year, then transfer. If you're planning to transfer to a California Public University, understand the commitment before you enroll in a community college.
For more information
To find out more about community colleges, visit the American Association of Community Colleges website, or your state community college network website. For California, this is http://www.cccco.edu/.
