There will always be misconceptions about community colleges. Here are some Top Myths About Community Colleges:

A degree from a community college is not as good as a degree from a four-year college or university.

A community college degree will either prepare you to directly enter the workforce, or prepare you to start an education at a four-year school. Attending community colleges for the first year or two may even help students to figure out what or where they want to study, if they are undecided.

Community college degrees cost less, so the education is not as high quality as degrees from four-year colleges or universities.

Just because tuition at community colleges is less expensive than four-year schools doesn’t mean that the quality of the education is lower. Classes at community colleges are often smaller so the curriculum is more in-depth, and students engage more and feel more comfortable speaking to their professors. There are classes in honors programs at community colleges as well.

Academic standards at community colleges are low.

Community colleges have a sense of open admission, meaning that anyone is welcome to sign up. However, students usually have to take placement tests in order to qualify for college level work. Other technical and advanced programs will have higher enrollment standards. Community colleges also help breed diversity, as students of different ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, and financial standings come together to learn in an unique classroom enviroment.

Students only attend community colleges because they can’t get into a four-year college or university.

This is not entirely true. Some students attend community college if their grades, SAT, or ACT scores were not up to par for certain four-year schools. However, other students may attend community college since they are convenient and close to their jobs and families, they are more financially affordable, or if the student is undecided about their college plans. Undecided students often go to community college for a year or two to take classes and decide what major they want to study, and which four-year school they then want to attend. By starting off at a community college, students can save money which can later be put towards their degree at four-year school.

Community colleges don’t offer financial aid.

Although tuition is less at community colleges, financial aid is still available. Federal Pell Grants are open to any students attending accredited post-secondary schools.

Community colleges are for students who work full-time jobs, or are older.

Community colleges do attract an older crowd and working students, due to the flexibility of class schedules. However many students ages 18-24 go to community college after graduating high school, and are able to benefit from the flexibility of community colleges as well since classes are available day and night, and enrollment is part-time or full-time. These options sometimes aren’t available at four-year colleges or universities.

Community colleges are for those people who want a vo-tech (vocational or technical) career.

This is not entirely true. You can start at a community college and pursue any career you like. Community colleges are not vocational schools – there are strictly vocational schools, and there are community colleges that offer vocational education through classes.

It’s hard to transfer credits from a community colleges to a four-year college or university.

Transferring credits from any school requires serious planning. If your plan is to attend community college and then transfer to a four-year college or university, you need to meet with your academic advisor to ensure you are taking the right classes to prepare you for your intended major at the four-year school, to make sure you have all the needed documents and transcripts, and to work out any other issues that may come up while transferring credits.

To recap, community colleges provide students with options. For those individuals who have graduated high school and don’t know what they want to study or do with their lives, starting off at a community college is a smart money-saving option. Community colleges also set the educational groundwork for students who want to jump into the workforce, or who want to transfer or continue their education at a four-year school.

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