College University

Should you go to a  2 year Community College or a 4 year University?

Community College or University

This is an ongoing debate whether a student should attend a 2 year college for the first two years of his/her bachelor's degree or should they go straight to a four year college.  There are pros and cons of going with either of them.  A recent study by NBER shows that a significant percentage of students who went to a community are less likely to graduate compared to those who went to a university.  While this may not be true for every individual student but it may be accruate to a certain extent as community college may not have the same rigor which a university may have.  Below is a brief discussion of pros and cons of joining 2 year college vs a 4 year college.

Pros of a 2 Year College

  • Cheaper - Tution is usually a fraction of that of a 4 year college.
  • Smaller Class Size
  • May be one in the home town
  • Classes are usually easier
  • Easier access to some of the scholarships

Cons of a 2 Year College

  • May not have all the facilities
  • Faculty may not be as good as a 4 year university.
  • All courses may not transfer
  • May not be able to transfer to a good school to finish a 4 year degree
  • Will probably interact with C and D students since 2 year colleges are open to everyone
  • May have trouble finding a job
  • Not enough reputation
  • May not have the programs you are looking for
  • Poor Alumni Network - May not have enough activities

Pros of a 4 Year College

  • Abundance of Programs
  • Excellent faculty and facilities  - Especially for Ivy League and Public Schools
  • No need to worry about transfer
  • Job Market Recognition - Career Fairs
  • Access to various scholarships
  • Access to great libraries and labs.
  • Will get to interact with some of the brightest students in the world
  • Excellent Alumni Network

Cons of a 4 Year College

  • Expensive
  • Some private schools may not have good faculty and facilities 
  • Classes my be too big or overcrowded
  • May have to move out of town to attend one

Special Note: The writer of this article himself has attended a community college for the first two years and a private college for the other two.  Some of the statements above may be his own personal bias.