Community College Crunch

Facing fewer opportunities in an increasingly competitive workforce, many non-traditional high school graduates are taking advantage of the recession to earn college degrees. And while more parents have less to spend on their children's post-secondary studies, more students are being forced to reconsider their educational ambitions. These days, the biggest determining factor in choosing a school is cost. According to the College Board, the average annual tuition for a private four-year education is $25,143. Hold this up to the average $6,585 for a year's tuition at a four-year public institution. Meanwhile, community colleges boast an incomparable average tuition of $2,402 per yer.

A National Association for College Admissions Counseling survey shows that 71 percent of high schools reported an increase in the number of students who were abandoning plans to attend their “dream schools” and considering more affordable options. The survey found that 37 percent more high school students are planning to attend community colleges rather than four-year schools, and further, the American Association of Community Colleges reports that community colleges have been enjoying 4 to 20 percent increases over the past year. Yet while the attractive open-enrollment community colleges are experiencing an unheard-of spike in applications, state legislatures are cutting major funding to the institutions in attempts to patch up their flagging budgets. According to a recent Washington Post story, because of the cuts, hundreds of thousands of applicants will be denied admission to community colleges across the country next year.

For those planning to enroll in community colleges in 2009–10 who are in the fortunate majority of those accepted, the benefits are enormous:

° Unlike four-year schools with core curriculum classroom sizes upwards of 150 students, the average classroom size at community colleges is under 30 students, allowing students a more intimate, substantial, and challenging learning experience.

° Students can often live at home, saving on campus living expenses.

° Community colleges offer class scheduling and flexibility for non-traditional working students. Over 80 percent of community college students hold part or full-time jobs.

° Credits from core curriculum classes taken at community colleges can be transferred toward undergraduate degrees at any four-year learning institution.

° Unburdened by research and writing responsibilities, community college teachers are freed up to give one-on-one guidance, concentrating on students' educational needs.

By all accounts, community college alumni wouldn't trade that part of their educational experience for anything, and it's easy to see why. So many undergrads walk away from college saying things like, “I just spent $50,000 for a piece of paper and a four-year hangover.” At community colleges, while scoring an education, students are also gaining “real life” experience and a work ethic that -- especially during economic crunches -- employers value far above university pedigree.