Potential Magazine College and Career Organizer 2020 | Page 50
community colleges
Sponsored by:
benefits
5 REASONS TO CHOOSE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Community colleges are increasingly becoming a primary option
for many high school graduates and adult learners ready to return
to school. Regardless of what career field you are interested in,
here are the top reasons you should consider exploring the
community college option:
FLEXIBILITY: For students whose lifestyles include working while in
college, community college schedules often are more flexible than a four-year
institution. They are familiar with catering to students of all ages and back-
grounds. Evening, weekend, and online options give students flexibility
to take a full load or a few classes.
ACADEMIC QUALITY: Community colleges strive to offer quality
education by focusing on new technology that improves the student’s
experience. Students can explore new and traditional majors from a different,
hands-on perspective.
TRANSFERABILITY: Community colleges make it easy to transfer to a
four-year college. The STARS (Statewide Transfer and Articulating Reporting
System) allows public two-year students in Alabama to obtain a Transfer
Guide for the major of their choice. This guides the student through their
first two years of coursework and prevents the loss of credit hours upon
transferring to the appropriate four-year university in Alabama.
DID YOU KNOW? After 30 hours, you can transfer
to a 4-year university & they will only look at your GPA from
the college.
SMALLER CLASS SIZES: Smaller classes support individual learning
and increase the supportive environment to ensure that students succeed.
Students will be able to have a more personal relationship with their
professors and peers.
AFFORDABILITY: Community college tuition is on average four times
less than private college, so students can easily finance their education with
significantly less debt. Most scholarships are based on high school GPA (not
ACT score). Many students save money on room and board by living at home.
DID YOU KNOW? If you transfer from a community
college to a university, you may still be able to earn that
associate degree. Using a process called Reverse Transfer, or
Reverse Articulation, a community college can award you an
associate degree after reviewing your transcript.
50 | College Organizer 2020
www.potentialmagazine.com
DID YOU KNOW?
If your community college is not
SACS certified, your credits
will not transfer to a public
university.
Could I Earn More with a Degree
from a Community College?
According to Payscale.com, the average
salary range for recent graduates:
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Montgomery $29,000-$89,000
Birmingham $31,000- $91,000
ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Montgomery $29,000-$82,000
Birmingham $29,000- $80,000
DID YOU KNOW?
Students who start at a commu-
nity college before transferring
to a four-year university tend to
graduate at higher rates than
students who attend a four-year
university straight after high
school.