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As a community college track & field & cross country coach I help influence the college choices of about 100 students per year. Many of the students that I deal with are faced with deciding between a four-year University and a Community College. While such a decision should be based on the individual, I feel there are several benefits to attending Community College that will better prepare students for life at a four-year school down the road.

1. Money, cha-ching

Community Colleges offer an affordable educational experience compared to the costs of many four-year University's. One could take the basic classes that are identical to the classes that they would take at a four-year school, but at a discounted rate. Most community college students also live at home there first two years, saving them from the ridiculous room and board costs that are prevalent in today's colleges. Living at home has more benefits than saving money. You don't have to subject your self to dorm food. Can you say Mom's home cooking?

2. Smaller class sizes

How many times have you watched a movie scene where a freshman in college is sitting in a lecture hall full of 200 people? At a community college you can rest assured that you will never be in a class of more than 30 people. You can actually get to know your instructor. Just make sure they don't get to know you for the wrong reasons.

3. Less shock to the system

Leaving home at 18 to attend a four-year school where you know virtually no one can leave freshman shell-shocked. Since most students at community colleges are local, the transition into college life is much smoother. Many students just aren't ready to handle everything on their own at 18. Two years of community college allows many students time to mature before they head off into the unknown.

4. Majors that aren't offered elsewhere

At the community college I work at there are many majors that aren't offered at most four-year schools. Firefighting, Nursing, Law Enforcement, and Machine Trades are just a few of the majors offered where I work that aren't prevalent in the four-year schools around the state. Students can earn two-year degrees in these fields and enter the workforce at solid wages with no further education needed.

5. Time to think

Knowing what you want to do the rest of your life is hard to decide at age 30, but when you are 18 it is near impossible. Community Colleges offer a chance to complete basic classes in the first two years without the pressure of being corralled into a major. Students can stay flexible and take some classes in majors that they are interested in. That way when students transfer to four-year schools, they can make there decision on there school of choice based on the major they know they want to pursue.

As you can see, there are many benefits to attending a community college before transferring to a four-year University. In the end the decision really comes down to the circumstances of each individual student. I can say with confidence that starting out at a Community College worked for me. It helped make my experience at a four-year University much smoother and more rewarding.

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