Whether you’re about to head off to college yourself, you have a child preparing for college, or you know someone entering this new chapter, this article is for you.
When I was about 17, I applied to several four-year schools but never once considered attending community college. Like many, I had absorbed the stigma: community college was thought to be for students who couldn’t get into a “real” school, for those who lacked money, or for people with no other options. None of those assumptions are true.
I regret buying into those myths. Community college is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money on higher education costs. If you want to save money in college, starting at a community college is a smart move.
The stigma around community college is unfounded. As a young person, I let others’ opinions sway me and assumed they were right. But it isn’t only teenagers who believe these misconceptions—many parents and adult learners do, too. That’s a mistake.
For many students, community college should be the first choice. College costs continue to rise and show no signs of slowing. According to College Board, average annual tuition and fees are:
- Private four-year colleges: $32,410
- Public four-year colleges (out-of-state): $23,890
- Public four-year colleges (in-state): $9,410
In contrast, the average annual tuition and fees for community college are $3,440. That difference is substantial. Even completing just the first year at a community college can lead to major savings.
Many students rely on loans to cover college expenses. A NerdWallet survey of undergraduates found that 48% of borrowers believed they could have borrowed less and still afforded their education, and 27% regretted choosing a school that forced them to take out loans. I share that regret personally. I only took one summer semester at my local community college—12 credits—and I still wish I had taken more. I likely could have saved over $20,000 by transferring additional credits from community college.
Whether you’re already enrolled in college or haven’t started yet, community college can dramatically reduce costs. Below I address common myths I hear about community college to encourage more students and parents to seriously consider it.
Myth: All of my credits won’t transfer.
This is the most common concern I encounter. However, if you take the right steps, community college credits will transfer. Before you enroll or pay for classes at a community college, confirm that the four-year institution you plan to attend will accept those credits. Many universities provide clear lists of transfer-equivalent courses for nearby community colleges—check those lists or speak with an admissions or academic counselor.
Get confirmation in writing when possible. Counselors can help you identify which classes are transferable and provide documentation. When a four-year school accepts your transfer credits, it means those community college courses are recognized as meeting the same requirements at the university.
Myth: Community college won’t save me that much money.
Compare the tuition figures listed earlier: community college tuition averages $3,440 per year versus much higher costs at four-year institutions. With such a difference, starting at community college can significantly reduce how much you—or your family—need to borrow. If parents are considering taking on debt to fund a child’s college, strongly consider community college for the early years to limit or avoid that debt.
Myth: The classes won’t be as good.
Many people worry that community college classes are inferior. In most cases, the first two years of a college education consist of general education courses—classes that are similar across institutions. Community colleges typically offer these same introductory courses. It’s usually in the final two years of a bachelor’s program that specialized, upper-level classes become specific to a four-year institution.
If you’re concerned about quality, consider taking one or two summer semesters at the community college for electives or general education requirements. That’s what I did: while enrolled at a four-year school, I completed several affordable elective courses at a community college and was able to finish requirements more economically.
Myth: My degree will be worth less if I start at community college.
Your diploma will bear the name of the college from which you graduate. It will not indicate that you transferred credits from a community college. If you follow the proper transfer steps and your credits move seamlessly into your bachelor’s program, your degree’s value and the institution listed on the diploma are the same as if you had attended the four-year college for all four years.
In short, community college can be an efficient, affordable, and academically sound path to a bachelor’s degree when planned correctly. Did you attend community college? Why or why not?