When it comes to going to different colleges is it more beneficial to go to a four year college or a two year college?

The other responses provide some fantastic information and insight. The only other thing I will add is this:

If your goal going in is to go to a 4 year school but start at a 2 year or Community College and transfer to save money, look at all of your financial options and resources to see if going straight to a 4 year is feasible.

I have know and worked with a lot of transfer students when I was in college. Almost all of them had issues transferring in their credits. Not all of them were accepted meaning they had to take additional classes, possibly even an additional semester. That would limit some of the cost savings of transferring from a 2 year.

The other issue is the social issue. By transferring to a 4 year, you come into a situation where people have known and been living with each other for 2 years. It's not impossible to acclimate it's just a bit more challenging. Some schools offer special orientations for transfers to help with their transition.

Best of luck.

Good question Sharlene! The biggest factor between deciding to attend a 2-year or a 4-year college is what you plan to study in college. Community colleges tend to focus on training students for a specific job like auto mechanic, culinary arts, or digital media. If you know what kind of job you want, check if your local community college has a program that fits your needs. You will save time and money by going there. Some people also take classes at the 2-year college and then transfer for a 4-year college to save money because community colleges usually have lower tuition fees.

Other careers - like engineering or medicine - usually require a 4-year college degree and possibly graduate studies as well. Take time to think about what you'd like to do and visit people who are already doing those jobs. They will be happy to recommend colleges and programs for you to study.

Good news is no matter what college you go to or what you end up studying, the things you learn in college and the friends you will meet will definitely help you in life!

Good luck!

Definitely recommend a 4-yr program with strong career placement opportunities. Going to an expensive school with an unhelpful career office is not a good use of your talents. I'd definitely recommend trying part-time internships and a lighter course load to get through college.
From the social aspect, it is the best time to make friends/connections - given that you're together for so long with your class.

Definitely a four year college, the retention and graduation rates are better and you won't have to transfer to finish your BA/ BS

Hi Sharlene!

The answer is - it all depends on :
- your career goals - many people get meet their career goals at the local community college or get the first two years at a lower rate with credits that transfer
- your financial situation and/or your desire to achieve the most of an education with the least expenditure - too many people pay too much for a college education and have a great deal of difficulty paying it back
- the desire to only take on one drastic change in your life at by going to the local community college - with the significant change from high school to college it is sometimes easier and preferable not to take on the change of living away from home at the same time
- the desire to participate in internships and coop programs that are many times more readily available at a community college.
- etc

Best of luck! Please let me if this helps. I would like to help you with your progress of career attainment and self actualization. Looking forward to hearing from you.