College and University Blog
Community Colleges - Advantages and Disadvantages
Community colleges can be an important part of a postsecondary education. About half of the undergraduate students in the U.S. are attending a community college. Community colleges are preparing students for transfer to 4-year institutions, providing workforce development and skills training, and offering noncredit programs.
There are about 1200 community colleges in the United States with an enrollment of 11.6 million. Of these, 40% are enrolled full time. The choice to attend a community college may be based on open admissions policies, convenience, or the low cost of tuition. Most community college campuses are populated with people of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Community colleges generally offer three types of programs:
- Associates degree
An associate