Listen, I get it—when you think about college, you might picture ivy-covered buildings, packed football stadiums, and late-night study sessions at a prestigious university. But let’s talk about the real power move: starting at a community college before transferring to a four-year university. It’s not just the budget-friendly choice; it’s a strategic, life-changing decision that sets you up for success academically, financially, and even socially. Let’s have just one convo at a time about the benefits of attending a community college first.
1. The Price Tag: Big Savings, Big Flex
Money talks, and when it comes to higher education, it shouts. Community college tuition is a fraction of what you’d pay at a traditional four-year institution. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2023), the average cost of tuition and fees at a public four-year college is around $10,000 per year, while community college? A cool $3,800. That’s less than half—and that’s before we talk about scholarships, grants, and financial aid. (When it comes to these numbers, remember the aforementioned number is the average of all the higher education institutions in the US).
By starting at a local college, you can knock out your general education courses without burying yourself in debt. Plus, let’s be real: paying $500 for an intro-level math class at a community college is way smarter than shelling out thousands for the same class at a university. You’re literally paying for the same quality of education but for a thousand dollars more when you choose a four-year institution.
2. Smaller Classes, Bigger Support
If the thought of sitting in a 300-person lecture hall makes you break out in a cold sweat and anxious, you’re not alone. Community colleges offer smaller class sizes, which means more one-on-one attention from professors. Research published in the Journal of College Student Development (Tinto, 2020) suggests that students in smaller classes are more engaged, perform better academically, and develop stronger relationships with instructors.
In other words? Your professors will actually know your name and care about your success. I’m not saying that professors at four-year institutions don’t care about your name and success, it’s just harder for them to focus on that level of connection for the hundreds of students they meet everyday. Those professors are human beings and they have energetic limits, too. The kind of mentorship you experience at community college is gold when it comes to navigating higher education.
3. More Flexibility, Less Stress
Not everyone has the luxury of being a full-time student who lounges in the quad between classes. Many students at two-year colleges balance school with jobs, family responsibilities, and side hustles. Community colleges get that. They offer more night classes, online courses, and flexible scheduling options than most four-year schools.
Translation? You can still chase that degree without completely rearranging your life—or losing your paycheck. Additionally, COVID-19 changed how students attend classes, community colleges offer online, hybrid, and in-person classes. There’s incredible flexibility to fit your life.
4. A Smoother Academic Transition
Jumping straight into a university can be overwhelming. The academic expectations, workload, and sheer size of the institution can be a lot to handle. Starting at a two-year college helps ease that transition by allowing you to build strong study habits and confidence before diving into the deep end.
A study from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University (Bailey et al., 2019) found that students who transfer from a junior college to a four-year university often perform just as well—if not better—than students who started at the university from day one. Why? Because they’ve already mastered time management, academic discipline, and self-advocacy before making the leap.
5. A Second (or First) Chance to Shine
Didn’t exactly crush it in high school? No worries. Community colleges have open admissions policies, meaning you don’t need perfect SAT scores or a 4.0 GPA to get in. This is your chance to prove yourself academically, boost your GPA, and set yourself up for transfer scholarships at a top-tier university.
Fun fact: Many elite universities, including UCLA and the University of Michigan, actively recruit transfer students from local colleges because they recognize the resilience and determination it takes to follow this path (Smith & Johnson, 2021).
6. Access to Transfer Agreements
Many states offer transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year universities, which means guaranteed admission to a bachelor’s degree program if you meet the requirements. Programs like the California TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) (UCOP, 2023) or Florida’s 2+2 system make transferring seamless and stress-free.
That means you could be walking onto campus as a junior at a prestigious university without the brutal freshman-year tuition price tag. Smart, right?
If you’re in Illinois, check out these community colleges:
7. Building Your Resume Early
Think employers only care about where you graduate from? Think again. Community colleges offer internships, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience just like four-year universities. You can start building your resume before you even step foot onto your future university’s campus.
And let’s not forget: transfer students bring a unique perspective. Employers appreciate candidates who took a non-traditional route and showed financial responsibility, resilience, and strategic planning along the way (Career & Technical Education Research, 2022).
My Community College Testimony
Without a doubt, this post may be super biased because I attended College of DuPage before I graduated from Illinois State University. Initially, I wanted to attend community college, then I attended a campus tour at Loyola University Chicago, fell in love with their campus at first sight, and committed my $500 later that day. I did not expect to attend College of DuPage, but that was the way things happened and I am so blessed because of it.
Attending community college was the best thing to happen to me because I made connections that I would come to appreciate every single day. My life would be so different and not necessarily for the better if I didn’t attend COD first. I’ll make a separate post about my journey more in-depth, but for now just know choosing community college is a valid, great option to be successful.
Final Thoughts: The Glow-Up is Real
So, should you consider attending community college before university? If saving thousands of dollars, getting smaller class sizes, and setting yourself up for a smoother academic transition sound like a win, then the answer is a resounding YES.
At the end of the day, your degree will say the name of the four-year university you graduate from—not where you started. So, why not take the smarter, more affordable, and just-as-legit route?
Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you. Emphasis on your bank account thanking you, especially considering the instability of our political economy. Who knows if the Department of Education will even exist by the time you head to college.
Thinking of Transferring? Here’s Your Next Step:
- Research local community colleges with strong transfer programs.
- Check out state-specific transfer agreements to guarantee admission.
- Apply for scholarships and financial aid early.
- Meet with a college advisor to plan your course schedule strategically.
- Connect with university transfer coordinators to ensure a smooth transition.
Your path to a bachelor’s degree doesn’t have to break the bank or break your spirit. Take the smart route, and own your educational journey!
References
- Bailey, T., Jaggars, S.S., & Jenkins, D. (2019). Redesigning America’s Community Colleges: A Clearer Path to Student Success. Harvard University Press.
- Career & Technical Education Research. (2022). The Value of Transfer Students in the Workforce. Retrieved from https://www.cte-research.org/value-transfer-students
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (2023). Trends in College Tuition and Student Debt. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov
- Smith, R., & Johnson, K. (2021). Elite Universities and Transfer Student Success. Journal of Higher Education, 92(4), 567-589.
- Tinto, V. (2020). Student Retention and the Role of Smaller Class Sizes in Academic Success. Journal of College Student Development, 61(2), 137-154.
- University of California Office of the President (UCOP). (2023). Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Program. Retrieved from https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/tag
Veronica Speaks 
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