Attending college is an experience unlike any other. You meet new people, learn new things and obtain a degree or certification for all your hard work. After all is said and done, you take off with your new-found knowledge in search of a job that fits your expertise. No matter where you go to school, this ending goal is the same. So, why do students pay so much to attend expensive universities and private colleges? Is it really worth paying upwards of $40,000 for those two extra years? We’ve decided to put together a list of the perks of attending a community college.
1. Keeping Your Money in Your Pocket
The most well-known perk for attending a community college is the amount of money you save. According to collegeview.com, community college students spend just over $3,000 a year on school. As for state college students, they spend about $17,800 while private college students spend around $39,500. Community colleges provide students the opportunity to receive a high level education at sometimes a tenth of the cost.
2. New People and New Experiences
One of the main reasons for attending a four-year school is for the “complete college experience.” Community colleges provide students with a diverse group of classmates and course options. Students are able to learn from those of different backgrounds and use that knowledge to benefit them in the future. They can also spend more time finding their passion and less time at school. However, if you are looking to meet people through organizations, most community colleges have extra-curricular groups, such as Student Government, as an option to join.
3. Work around Your Schedule
Community Colleges offer a variety of daytime and nighttime classes to fit anybody’s schedule. Instructors are helpful when a student is in need of assistance or require time away due to unforeseen issues. With a much lower teacher to student ratio, community colleges aren’t interested in your failure, they want to help you succeed.
4. Many Opportunities Ahead
With the stigma of community colleges slowly fading away, more employers than ever are looking to see a community college on applicant résumés. These employers are interested in future employees with hands-on learning experience -- a strength that sets you apart from other applicants.
It all eventually comes down to what you believe is the correct path to take. At M State Detroit Lakes, we would love nothing more than to help you accomplish your goals quickly and affordably, while still benefiting from the collegiate experience. We believe every student has the right to an affordable and high quality education. Become a Spartan, and watch as the doors of opportunity fly open for you.
