5 answers
Olive
Student
Dalton, Massachusetts
2
Questions
Asked
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Community College or 4-Year College?
I'm a junior in high school looking at different colleges right now, and was wondering whether I should go to a community college first to get my associates degree, or go straight to my preferred college. The community college will be much cheaper, and close enough that I'll be able to live at home still, but I think the 4-year college might be more helpful academic-wise. I plan on going for biomedical engineering or mechanical engineering (possibly both), and plan on applying to both either way, but was just wondering if anyone had any advise? #Spring26
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5 answers
Zakari Scott
54
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Zakari’s Answer
Hey Olive,
I’ve been in your position before and I know how it feels to be stuck in between the two. I recommend you go to a community college first and then transfer to a 4 year college. You can save a lot of money on tuition, housing, and meal plans by staying at home for those first two years. From my own experience going straight to a 4-year, the costs add up quickly especially with required housing and meal plans. Don’t think that just because you’re going to a community college that you’re missing out academically. As long as you stay focused and take the right courses, you’ll be just as prepared when you transfer to a 4-year school. Unless you have a scholarship, I believe it’s smarter to attend a community college first. it really comes down to your situation.
I’ve been in your position before and I know how it feels to be stuck in between the two. I recommend you go to a community college first and then transfer to a 4 year college. You can save a lot of money on tuition, housing, and meal plans by staying at home for those first two years. From my own experience going straight to a 4-year, the costs add up quickly especially with required housing and meal plans. Don’t think that just because you’re going to a community college that you’re missing out academically. As long as you stay focused and take the right courses, you’ll be just as prepared when you transfer to a 4-year school. Unless you have a scholarship, I believe it’s smarter to attend a community college first. it really comes down to your situation.
Alberto Vergara Lope
TAX
3
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Alberto’s Answer
I would pick a 4-year college because it offers better preparation, more opportunities, and a bachelor's degree. I believe you learn more by choosing this path.
Larry Apfel
Aircraft Mechanic
30
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Olive,
I know my answer will not agree entirely with Alberto's answer There are pluses and minuses to his approach and mine.
I went to a 2-year community college to obtain my associate's degree and then transferred to a 4-year college to get my bachelor's degree. Both of my schools were in the same state, Connecticut, so the 4-year school was willing and able to transfer most of my credits towards my 4-year degree. I had 2 reasons for this. The first reason was to save money. The cost of a local community college is pennies compared to a four year school. The second reason is two year schools don't usually require you to live on campus as they are generally commuter schools. Four year schools have residency requirements usually for the first 2 years; many of them not allowing you to have a car on campus for those years. I was able to commute to the first and the second school having never lived on campus. I saved a lot of money because I was able to live at home for my entire college career. Never had a room & board charge or a meal plan.
If you're looking for a complete college experience that you would get by living on campus, you won't really have that. I was a few years older than your typical student so I wasn't looking for an on-campus social life; never the partying type.
In order to maximize your transferable credits you should study a related major in your 2 yr school as you will in your 4 yr school. For example, get your associates degree in mechanical technology then pursue a bachelors in mechanical engineering. Another example could be to get your associate's degree in chemical technology then transfer to your 4 yr school and pursue a bachelor's in chemical engineering. The majority of the first two years of engineering programs at most 4 yr university programs are very similar to the courses you will take at the community (2 yr) school. That's why many will be accepted as transfer credit.
I hope my answer is helpful. Best of luck to you.
Regards,
Larry A.
I know my answer will not agree entirely with Alberto's answer There are pluses and minuses to his approach and mine.
I went to a 2-year community college to obtain my associate's degree and then transferred to a 4-year college to get my bachelor's degree. Both of my schools were in the same state, Connecticut, so the 4-year school was willing and able to transfer most of my credits towards my 4-year degree. I had 2 reasons for this. The first reason was to save money. The cost of a local community college is pennies compared to a four year school. The second reason is two year schools don't usually require you to live on campus as they are generally commuter schools. Four year schools have residency requirements usually for the first 2 years; many of them not allowing you to have a car on campus for those years. I was able to commute to the first and the second school having never lived on campus. I saved a lot of money because I was able to live at home for my entire college career. Never had a room & board charge or a meal plan.
If you're looking for a complete college experience that you would get by living on campus, you won't really have that. I was a few years older than your typical student so I wasn't looking for an on-campus social life; never the partying type.
In order to maximize your transferable credits you should study a related major in your 2 yr school as you will in your 4 yr school. For example, get your associates degree in mechanical technology then pursue a bachelors in mechanical engineering. Another example could be to get your associate's degree in chemical technology then transfer to your 4 yr school and pursue a bachelor's in chemical engineering. The majority of the first two years of engineering programs at most 4 yr university programs are very similar to the courses you will take at the community (2 yr) school. That's why many will be accepted as transfer credit.
I hope my answer is helpful. Best of luck to you.
Regards,
Larry A.
Nick Sworob
Business Analyst
5
Answers
Tinicum Township, New Jersey
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Hi Olive, I think it is really smart of you that you are weighing the pros and cons of your decision! I will start out with mentioning that I did two years at Community College and then transferred to a 4 year university.
A majority of the time when you are going to Community College, you would be taking the same general education classes that would be offered at the 4 year university. Then after the two years at Community College, when your general education classes are complete, you would then transfer to the 4 year university to get the specialized classes.
You mentioned "I think the 4-year college might be more helpful academic-wise." If this statement is referring to the quality of classes, every school will be different, but in general, just because a class would be at a Community College, doesn't mean the quality would be less then a class at a 4 year university. It is important to discuss your educational path in the begin with both the Community College and the 4 year university that you would transfer to, to ensure they align. Typically, the Community College has a partnership with 4 year universities to allow all your credits to transfer. As you mentioned, there is a huge financial benefit of going to Community College over a 4 year university. The financial benefit is sometime overlooked by wanting to get the traditional "College Experience." Let me call out that minimizing the amount of debt you accrue going to college will have a huge impact on your life and should not be overlooked. Community College offers a lot of the "College Experience" and you can also visit your high school friends at their universities on the weekends.
As long as there are no academic limitations for your specific program, I recommend you do two years at Community College then transfer to a 4 year university.
A few things to mention:
- Inquire about the class sizes at the Community College and Universities you are considering. Class sizes can vary greatly. Do you want a class with 15 people in it or 100 people?
- Mentioning it again because it's important: Discuss your educational path in the begin with both the Community College and the 4 year university that you would transfer to, to ensure they align.
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible. There are websites available that list scholarships you can apply for. I read a statistic that 100 million dollars in scholarships go unclaimed each year.
- To emphasize the importance of keeping your debt low, I recommend watching "Borrowed Future" on YouTube. Its free!
- Even though I went to Community College first my degree still says it's from the 4 year university.
You're making a smart choice by weighing all your options. Good luck!
A majority of the time when you are going to Community College, you would be taking the same general education classes that would be offered at the 4 year university. Then after the two years at Community College, when your general education classes are complete, you would then transfer to the 4 year university to get the specialized classes.
You mentioned "I think the 4-year college might be more helpful academic-wise." If this statement is referring to the quality of classes, every school will be different, but in general, just because a class would be at a Community College, doesn't mean the quality would be less then a class at a 4 year university. It is important to discuss your educational path in the begin with both the Community College and the 4 year university that you would transfer to, to ensure they align. Typically, the Community College has a partnership with 4 year universities to allow all your credits to transfer. As you mentioned, there is a huge financial benefit of going to Community College over a 4 year university. The financial benefit is sometime overlooked by wanting to get the traditional "College Experience." Let me call out that minimizing the amount of debt you accrue going to college will have a huge impact on your life and should not be overlooked. Community College offers a lot of the "College Experience" and you can also visit your high school friends at their universities on the weekends.
As long as there are no academic limitations for your specific program, I recommend you do two years at Community College then transfer to a 4 year university.
A few things to mention:
- Inquire about the class sizes at the Community College and Universities you are considering. Class sizes can vary greatly. Do you want a class with 15 people in it or 100 people?
- Mentioning it again because it's important: Discuss your educational path in the begin with both the Community College and the 4 year university that you would transfer to, to ensure they align.
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible. There are websites available that list scholarships you can apply for. I read a statistic that 100 million dollars in scholarships go unclaimed each year.
- To emphasize the importance of keeping your debt low, I recommend watching "Borrowed Future" on YouTube. Its free!
- Even though I went to Community College first my degree still says it's from the 4 year university.
You're making a smart choice by weighing all your options. Good luck!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
238
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Olive,
I'm delighted to know that you desire to become an engineer. It's an exciting profession.
I guess you're at a crossroad.
To be honest, I have no experience with community colleges. If cost is the overriding factor, it makes practical sense to go through community college.
The community college route is also helpful for someone who might feel not fully prepared to pursue a 4-year course in engineering directly. As such, it provides a foundation for the perhaps more demanding 4 year course.
For someone who is capable of pursuing the 4 year course directly, I highly recommend it.
For a successful career in engineering, though, practical training is paramount. Internships, mentorships, apprenticeships all give you an opportunity to learn through experience. Everyone available opportunity should be fully exploited.
Good luck in your endeavors to become an engineer.
I'm delighted to know that you desire to become an engineer. It's an exciting profession.
I guess you're at a crossroad.
To be honest, I have no experience with community colleges. If cost is the overriding factor, it makes practical sense to go through community college.
The community college route is also helpful for someone who might feel not fully prepared to pursue a 4-year course in engineering directly. As such, it provides a foundation for the perhaps more demanding 4 year course.
For someone who is capable of pursuing the 4 year course directly, I highly recommend it.
For a successful career in engineering, though, practical training is paramount. Internships, mentorships, apprenticeships all give you an opportunity to learn through experience. Everyone available opportunity should be fully exploited.
Good luck in your endeavors to become an engineer.