With the summer just beginning, many graduates already know where they will be in the fall. High school juniors and sophomores are most likely beginning to look at schools that they could possibly attend for college. According to last year’s National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s snapshot report, about 50 percent of the students who are at four-year colleges began their education at a two-year junior or community college. While community colleges have gotten a negative reputation over the years, I can tell from experience that, in all honesty, going to a community college before transferring to a four-year school has its ups and downs, but mainly has a lot of benefits that people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds can appreciate and profit from.

One of the biggest benefits of community college is the cost. Most community colleges only charge tuition, technology and book expenses, give or take a few expenses depending on the college. According to a Washington Post article, community college tuition averages out to be about $3,347 per year. Four-year schools usually have a cost of about $9,000 per year just for tuition alone. Since community colleges rarely have a meal plan or housing, students do not have to pay these fees and often commute to school. While a community college student's gas station trips may be more frequent than usual, the cost to commute absolutely outweighs the cost of room and board.

Attending a college that is cost efficient and close to home provides opportunities and advantages that I would not have received otherwise. In a junior college, students are able to decide if they want to really pursue the career and major path that they originally choose with less risk and expenses to worry about they change their mind about their original plan. According to an article published on the University of Laverne website, at least 50 percent of college students change their major at least once, and on average, students will change their majors up to three times while in school. By going to community college, students are able to change their major and not have to worry about wasting as much money or having the ability to change their major to something different. Some students are even able to change from a liberal arts major to being a junior in a different major, depending on which college they transfer to after community college. Many community colleges also offer deals with certain private or public universities that can help make the transfer process from a two-year to four-year school easier.

One of the biggest benefits of community college is the fact that a lot of the same teachers, advantages, options, etc. that are offered at a four-year school, are exactly or almost the same as ones at a four-year institute. Many community college teachers teach only part-time at the community college and the rest of the time at four-year universities or colleges in the area. That means that students are getting the same education, or at least instructors, that students at four-year schools are getting at a discount. Community colleges also usually have clubs, school trips, fundraisers, etc., the same as any four-year school, that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of students. The biggest differences between community college and four-year schools are usually the cost and commute, however, those can be pros for many students. This means that community colleges and four-year colleges are not as opposite as some may think.

Community college and four-year private or public universities and colleges have been the options that many consider when looking to choose what to do with their lives after high school. While qualities like cost and/or grades are usually the biggest reasons people go to community college, I would not rule community college out to be a last resort or not an option, especially if you are unsure what exactly you want to do with your life after high school or as a career. Community college can offer a widespread of options that can really help a student to succeed in whatever path they choose. It is inexpensive and offers unique options, at the same time allowing students to have at least some or most of what other students at four-year schools are experiencing. Community college is a great and viable option that students will hopefully start or continue to give a second look.