As you begin your college search, you may be attracted to all the big, expensive, and fancy universities available. While it is great to go to a university, it is even better to attend a junior college for your first two years right after high school. Before you dismiss your local community college, read why you might be better off going there first.

Save Money: Let's face it, college is expensive. Do you really want to be another college student struggling to pay the high university price tag? Attending a junior college lets you complete your basic units for a low price. Typically, your first two years of college are just basic classes that have little to do with your intended major. The average tuition of a university is about $30,000 per year. Taking these first two years of classes at a university will cost you around $60,000. You can take the same classes at the local junior college for $3,000 or less a year. It does not take a mathematician to see that the difference is quite huge! Also, since you will be closer to home and have a huge financial burden off your back, you can start saving money for your junior and senior year at a university.

Smaller Class Sizes: Some people may consider smaller class sizes a plus, and others may hate it. At a junior college, class sizes are on average of about 20-50 students. This is very nice compared to a larger university's class size of a couple hundred. With a smaller class, you will be able to get directed help. This ultimately helps you get better grades.

Better Transcripts: It does not matter whether you were a good student in high school or not. Junior college transcripts will dominate over high school transcripts. Grades that are not above average are usually rejected at a prestigious university. This can be bad news for those who did not do so well in high school. Junior college acts as your second chance to get good grades. You will have a much better chance transferring into the college of your dreams as a junior.

Finalize Your Major Choice: Many college students waste time and money their first couple of years at college. How do they waste time and money? They do not know what they want to major. By going to a junior college first, you can experience different classes and have more time to choose a major. You may even discover that you can acquire the degree you wanted at a junior college.

Whether you choose a junior college or a university is up to you. There are many benefits to going to a junior college right after high school, but it is not for everyone. While researching universities, be sure to research junior colleges too.

Learn more about this author, Ashley Sinatra.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Starting a 4-year degree at a 2-year college?
We want to hear your view. Write now!