What if the key to success isn’t paying a $50,000 tuition fee but rather a local community college right down the road? The benefits of attending community colleges are often overlooked. Many fail to realize that where you begin doesn’t determine where you’ll end up.
Community colleges mostly offer two years of education, which will grant you an associate’s degree. This is beneficial if the career you are looking at only requires an associate’s degree. Not only that, but community colleges can make it easier for students to get their general education credits, and it is way more affordable than a public four-year university.
Since community colleges are local, the average student who starts off at a community college can save as much as $30,000 on tuition, according to Savingforcollege.com. On top of these expenses, community colleges take the weight off of many regular necessities like dorm expenses, and it reduces the amount of stress of finding the perfect roommate. Penn State’s main campus in Atherton Hall costs $5,246, while at community college, you don’t even have to worry about the expenses of living on campus because you won’t need to.
Moving thousands of miles away from home into this unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people takes a bigger toll on one’s mental health. The Healthy Minds Network took a look at 350,000 students from 373 campuses from 2013 to 2021. Between then, the percentage of students meeting the criteria for one or more mental health problems increased by almost 50%.
The transition from being a high school student to a college student is a critical period for many. Finding the right group, right professors, and right profession can all be incredibly overwhelming. For some, staying in an area with familiar faces can really be calming and an easier transition. The application process is also more secure, as it gives you enough time to commit without fully committing. Choosing to go to community college first will give you more wiggle room.
Many successful individuals around the world were able to accomplish their dreams both effectively and efficiently without the weight of a college debt, because they chose the route of attending community colleges. Elieen Collins, who was NASA’s first female space shuttle pilot and commander. She began her career at the New York Community College where she earned her associate’s degree in science. Even by attending community college, she was successfully able to land a job with NASA and build a name for herself.
It’s time we break these stereotypes and focus on what’s most beneficial for us. Community colleges don’t deserve all the negativity they get. At the end of the day, education is what truly matters. For any further questions, feel free to contact the Harrisburg Area Community College at (800) 222-4222.
