Tuition in community colleges is normally cheaper than in the four-year universities. Students who normally want to save tuition fees can enroll in a two-year community college. Consequently, following the completion of their studies they can enroll and transfer credits to the four-year universities. The advantage of a two-year community college is that it offers general prerequisite courses that are also necessary for the four-year universities. Additionally, the differences in the tuition between the community colleges and the four-year universities vary from state to state. According to the Community College Policy Center (24), in a state such as Ohio, the cost tuition in a four-year university is higher by $274. In South Carolina, the tuition in a four-year university is higher by $2336. Thus, students seeking an affordable option for higher education can start their education in the community colleges and then transfer credits to the four-year universities.
The admission policies in community colleges are open. Thus, anyone who can be able to gain from the community college is welcome to go there. According to Stafford (7), community colleges offer minimal qualifications for admittance to degree and certificate programs. However, courses in health sciences have a higher admission criterion and have a limited number of slots for students yearly. In the four-year universities, admission policies are on a competitive basis. Therefore, a student’s SATs scores and high school grade-point average count a lot. Additionally, the four-year universities may require applicants to send recommendation letters and write admission essays. In the community colleges, a high school diploma or a high school equivalency is required if a person is to take courses for credit. In the case of the four-year universities, a GED or high school diploma or is required if a person is to be admitted.
Community colleges offer a wide range of majors from which students can choose. The curriculum is comprehensive and focuses on liberal arts and sciences, which may include fields such as computer science, engineering, business management and health sciences. Additionally, students can acquire technical and vocational training for purposes of direct workforce entry, which is an option not available in some of the four-year universities. In the four-year universities, course of study of the undergraduate focuses on liberal arts and science and is provided as a basis or foundation for professional degrees such as medicine and law. Further, the four-year universities offer continuing education and workforce training programs. In the community college, the highest degree achievable is an associate degree. Some few community colleges offer bachelor’s degree. The degree programs are mostly completed within two years while the certificate programs may take a year or less depending on whether they are done full-time or part-time. In the four-year universities, the highest undergraduate degree is a bachelor’s degree, which may take between four and six years to finish.
Works Cited
Community College Policy Center. State Funding for Community Colleges: A 50-State Survey. Denver: DIANE Publishing, 2000. Print.
Stafford, Susan H. Community College: Is It Right For You? New Jersey: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. Print.
