Bear in mind, however, that an open admissions policy does not mean that programs and classes won't fill up. The 7 Best Online Colleges for 2020 Enrollment, The 7 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs of 2020, Public Health Major: Courses, Jobs, Salaries, Understanding Different Types of Colleges, What Is a Communications Major? In this post, we'll take a look at the big differences between these two types of schools so you have the information you need to make a smart decision about your future. First on the list of differences between community colleges and universities is the type of degrees and programs offered. Another big way community colleges and universities differ is in living arrangements. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. This on-campus living adds another dimension to the overall cost of school and is known as room and board. Universities tend to have much larger class sizes due to the amount of students that attend the school, and this can mean less one-on-one attention from teachers for you. The first step to attending college is getting in. University tuition will typically cost 2 to 20 times as much as a community college. Universities offer four-year bachelor's degrees, and many also offer master's degree programs. Many universities have holistic admissions policies and look at more than grades and test scores. Now that you have the major differences between community colleges and universities laid out in front of you, you should have a clearer idea of which type of school will work best for you and your individual needs. Strong research universities will have doctoral (PhD) programs in some fields. Community College vs University: What’s Right for You? These agreements allow for a smoother transition from a two-year community college to … Community colleges have open admissions and award two-year associate's degrees as well as offer some certificate and one-year programs. Community college is a lot less expensive than university. Universities Choosing a college means going to a new, unfamiliar world of immense possibilities. Liberal Arts Majors vs. University Majors. It is rare for a university to offer two-year associates degrees, although you will find a few two-year programs at regional public universities. Tuition is low, and students tend to be local and commute. College vs. University in the U.S. More One difference, experts say, is that universities offer both undergraduate and graduate programs, while many colleges focus solely on undergrads. According to the College Board, you can expect for room and board to tack on about $10,000 per year at public 4-year universities and roughly $11,500 per year at private 4-year universities. In the U.S., \"college\" and \"university\" are frequently interchangeable and simply refer to a school at the tertiary level. Community colleges, often referred to as two-year colleges, typically have small campuses and offer a low student-to-teacher ratio. For many students, choosing their next steps after high school can be difficult. If you are wondering whether to attend a community college or a university, you should have a solid understanding of the major differences between the two. Community colleges offer traditional academic classes like math and history that will transfer to a four-year college or university but also offers community programs like resume help to job seekers, or swim classes to children. July 02, 2020 You’ve decided you want to go to college. Some of the nation's most expensive private universities have a total price tag close to $80,000 a year. There are even community college and junior colleges that provide students with two-year degrees. Commuter campuses tend to have far less going on when it comes to student life since students leave school when their classes are over. Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. The University of California system charges over $13,000 for in-state students. “There is sometimes very little course work aside from major exams but keep in mind that college is what you make it - putting in the time is entirely up to you” (The Pros & Cons of Community Colleges). The cost variation between attending a community college as opposed to attending a university can vary widely, and is typically the biggest difference between the two entities. Community College vs University: Pros and Cons of Cost, Class Size, and Student Experience; For many students, the choice between matriculating into a community college versus a university is a difficult choice to make, with many details and implications to consider. These general credits can then be transferred to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. Community colleges are almost always commuter campuses, so students live at home where they can save money on room, board, and many fees associated with residential campuses. If you attend a “standard” college or university, then your class schedule typically follows a 9-5 day, much like a job would. The differences are crazy, aren't they?! A four-year residential college would not be on option in such situations. Meal plans are also offered at most universities. Community colleges usually have flexible schedules. Programs are typically two years long. Flexibility: Class schedules can be more flexible. Compare and Contrast Essay Community College vs. It depends largely on one’s own vocational goals. Tuition, room and board, and meal plans all add up to thousands of dollars a year that community college students don’t have to spend. Sometimes called junior colleges, community colleges usually offer associate degrees, though some also offer certificate programs. There is also the term \"community c… Although community colleges are often regarded as less prestigious than universities, community colleges may offer courses similar to courses in the freshman and sophomore curricula of some universities, although differences do exist between the two. Students attending community colleges are also able to live at home or remain in their local community while receiving their education, while most university students end up relocated to attend college. The average cost of tuition and fees at a community college averages just over $3,000 a year. Universities are more likely than colleges to offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees; colleges usually only offer undergraduate degrees. You'll want to register and enroll early to guarantee your seat in a class. However, universities in the U.S. are often larger and have a wider range of courses than those schools which call themselves colleges. Depending on location, this may or may not be higher than room and board at 4-year universities. Universities are much larger than community colleges; some universities in the United States have over a hundred thousand students. a smaller institution that typically offers undergraduate degrees This does not mean that community colleges don't have athletic teams and student clubs and organizations; many do. Article Type: Fight Club. Support: Students often receive more support during their transition from high school. University VS College: Which one is better? The highest degree offered by community colleges is a two-year associate's degree. Part of a university student's education involves dealing with the responsibility of living on their own for the first time. Harvard University, for example, has a sticker price around $80,000 a year.A low income student, however, will attend Harvard for free. For example, Purdue University has admission requirements that include taking certain courses and earning certain grades in high school, completing essay questions, receiving a minimum score on the ACT or SAT, and more. Sometimes experiencing a slice of campus life is the only way to know what you want. Community colleges and universities each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and they have significant differences when it comes to admissions, academics, costs, and student life. Community colleges usually don't offer housing to students, but universities almost always do in the form of dorms and on-campus apartment complexes. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing liberal arts college vs. university or vice versa. Alongside degree programs, cost is probably the biggest difference between community colleges and universities--and one of the main factors when it comes to choosing a school! Students who attend community colleges have the ability to use their degree to begin work, or continue their education at a 4-year school. What is a College? So what is the real difference between a college and a university? For students unsure about going to college, community colleges offer them the luxury of giving college a shot without having to move to a distant campus. The right choice for one student might be to enter the workforce, while another might prefer to get a bachelor’s degree straightaway. Attending a university is about more than academics and a degree. Two-year community or junior colleges often offer short-term programs, certificate programs, and associate degrees. Some colleges do offer graduate studies as well. If you have a high school diploma or have earned a GED, you are eligible to attend a community college. As a prospective college student, you probably have an idea of what field you want to enter and perhaps which degree you'll need. Now, you need to decide which path is best for you: community college or university. Most four-year colleges offer bachelor’s degrees with some also offering associate degrees. In a nutshell: the funding. However, a college and a university can often mean very different things depending on the context and the country. While costs are varied and depend upon a myriad of factors, it is … On the other hand, most public universities both provide education to students an… Community colleges tend to be smaller than universities and offer more interaction with faculty. Admission standards for universities is much more variable. College vs. University. Community College. Considerations include cost, which schools you can get accepted to based on your grades, the kind of learning environment that works best for you, and your desired career path. Tuition is also significantly lower than at a university. Stony Brook University Typically, a community college is nonresidential and supported locally, regionally, and/or by the state government. However, some community college students must move closer to school, which leaves them in charge of rent and food. College and University: two words with similar meanings that are often used interchangeably. Many students don't realize that if they plan on working while attending school, community college is hands down the best option. Across the country, community colleges have worked to ensure that their associate's degrees matc… Law schools, business schools, and medical schools are almost always connected to universities, so MBA, JD, and MD degrees are awarded by universities. If students are torn between the two, they should visit the campuses and sit in on classes to get a feel of what they feel comfortable with. Thanks to Skillshare for sponsoring this video. On the other hand, universities generally offer programs that result in bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and take longer to complete (4+ years). Of course, community college students have other costs to consider tuition and fees. Keep reading to get the lowdown so you can make an informed decision about the next step in your education. Most colleges offer bachelor’s degrees, and some colleges also have associate degrees. Most will live in the residence halls, but depending on the school, some may live in fraternities, sororities, theme houses, or nearby off-campus housing. Since community colleges do not have as many students on campus this means there are less students to meet and fewer organized campus groups and activities. For higher income families, the community college will almost always be cheaper. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate or federal university, an institution offering vocational education, or a secondary school.. However, before a college can apply for university status, there are a minimum of four requirements that must be met for at least five years: Programs. After graduating from a community college, most students [citation needed] transfer to a four-year liberal arts college or university for two to three years to complete a bachelor's degree. Here’s a rundown of what some of these terms mean to help you with your college search. Community colleges also cost less than universities so it is a good option for students with limited economical means. That term is still used at some institutions. Since the So, if your college applications are looming, here are four key reasons to put community colleges versus universities on your academic radar: Cost: Community colleges are usually less expensive. Community colleges are usually much easier to get into (the national average acceptance rate is 76% vs. 59% at a four-year institution). The average cost of tuition and fees at a community college averages just over $3,000 a year. While a four-year school may offer Bachelor's degrees, many community and junior colleges only offer two-year or Associate's degrees. For 50 years, a four-year degree has been the first prerequisite to the American middle class. A community college, (sometimes referred to as junior college), is a 2-year school that provides inexpensive, post-secondary education to students. Community colleges tend to specialize in career-focused fields such as engineering technology, computer information systems, nursing, radiography, physical therapist assistant, and security systems technology. Community colleges also tend to offer some one-year and certificate programs for specific professions. Community colleges also offer the following: A Pathway to a Four-Year Degree – Because community colleges are accredited, students can easily transfer between a community college and a four-year college or university. In university vs. college, which one takes precedence? Before the 1970s, community colleges in the United States were more commonly referred to as junior colleges. One of the hardest decisions a high school graduate face is the choice between attending a Community College or a University. A university student majoring in electrical engineering will take a dozen or so engineering courses, numerous science and math classes, and also courses in areas such as writing, ethics, sociology, and business. According to an article on Learn.org, associate's degrees can be used on their own for jobs that require a 2-year degree or to prepare you for transfer to a university. Community colleges are sometimes referred to as '2-year colleges' and mostly offer associate's degree programs that you can typically complete in two years or less, depending on enrollment status (i.e., full or part time). Some universities have extremely selective admissions. The debt that you acquired to attain the degree was more than offset by your increased lifetime earning potential. It’s definitely cheaper, and a great way to satisfy your prerequisites before transferring to an expensive four-year college to complete your major. Although the amount of groups and clubs at community colleges are limi… In every story the protagonist must make a decision that will change his or her life forever, from Neo choosing between the red and blue pill, Luke Skywalker between choosing the light side or the dark side, or even Lebron James choosing to go to Miami or to stay in Cleveland. This is not a problem with community colleges, as nearly all have open admissions. Attending community college gives students the chance to prepare for the financial demands of a 4-year university if they plan on transferring. Universities tend to focus on teaching students how to think and solve problems whereas a community college will often be more focused on training a student for a particular profession. Community colleges used to be regarded as less academically challenging than traditional four-year universities. This point is worth reemphasizing: an extremely expensive private university can actually cost less than a community college for a student from a family with modest income. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, 10 Best Colleges for Environmental Science Majors, SUNY vs. CUNY: Comparing New York's College Systems, Open Admissions at Colleges and Universities. College vs. University: The Actual Meaning. Along with access, low cost is one of the greatest benefits of community college. Community College. There is also the term "community college" — or less commonly, "junior college" — in the U.S., which refers to a two-year school that offers certificates, associate's degrees, and lower-level tertiary education (i.e., half of an undergraduate's degree, which can be transferred and continued at a full, four-year college or university). Tuition is also significantly lower than at a university. Since community colleges usually have a much lower overall student population, class sizes are also much smaller. In general, if you value highly involved students, an active social scene, and a lot of school spirit, a university is going to have more to offer than a community college. There are even community college and junior colleges that provide students with two-year degrees. Most four-year colleges offer undergraduate degrees with some also offer associate degrees. What’s the Big Difference Between Public and Private? Flexible Schedule. While college and university have come to mean the same thing colloquially, they actually refer to two very different institutions: College is typically a smaller, goal-oriented institution that offers only undergraduate programs. Generally speaking, community colleges exist solely to provide an education to their students that will hopefully result in gainful employment. 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