Community College vs. State Schools

When considering sending your child to college, it might be a good idea to ask yourself how academically motivated your child is and if you feel your child is ready to be on his or her own. You may want to sit down and discuss your child's long-term goals, and, realistically, which option is the most affordable.

Community Colleges

Community colleges are often more intimate than state schools. There are fewer students, and the class sizes are generally smaller. While state schools afford a reasonable way to attend a four-year college, community colleges are usually less expensive. They also tend to have courses geared more toward the practical instead of the liberal arts. However, some may see a community college as an extension of high school because it represents a more protected atmosphere, since most community college students live at home and not on a campus. Of course, some adolescents may see this as a drawback, not a selling point.

State Schools

State schools are just the opposite. Most state schools require that freshman live on campus. Some studies have found that students living on campus usually get better grades than those who do not. While campus life may offer students opportunities to become more independent, it may also offer more chances for students to try new things, which has both positive and negative implications.

Academics

State schools tend to offer a wider variety of liberal arts programs than the ones found at community colleges. That doesn't necessarily mean that community colleges don't offer a sound education; it's just that, since they are a two-year alternative, they don't have as many course and degree options. The professors in state schools typically hold their PhD or the highest degree in their field of study. This may not be the case at community colleges, where many professors have Master's Degrees and may be working toward their PhD degrees.

Before you make a choice, you should keep in mind that most community colleges have arrangements with four-year schools to accept graduates who have completed an Associate Degree. This might be a good starting point for a student who might not be ready for a state school experience.