Fans of the hit TV show Community will no doubt have seen a whackier side to Community Colleges. While this show obviously plays on comical elements to be outlandish and funny, it does demonstrate how diverse these colleges can be, with both young and old students attending them.

But, what exactly are Community Colleges, how do they differ from traditional colleges, and is it worth attending one?

What is a Community College?

Community Colleges are more affordable colleges that are funded by people’s tax dollars. In essence, they are funded by the community, hence the name. They tend to be a lot smaller and more affordable than traditional colleges, offering a range of courses for students to study.

Alongside this, Community Colleges also tend to provide additional help for people in the community. As an example, many of these colleges offer resume writing help for jobseekers.

How do Community Colleges stack up against traditional colleges?

There are a few differences that set the two higher education options apart. For one, Community Colleges can only offer Associate’s Degrees, while traditional ones provide Bachelor's and above. Community College courses also only span two years and cover general education topics, while traditional ones last at least four years.

There are smaller campuses at Community Colleges and the students there don’t have anywhere to live on-campus. So, most people attending these colleges will commute from home, which is why you see such a variety of students from different age brackets.

Is it worth attending a Community College?

You may wonder why it’s even worth going to a Community College if you can’t get a Bachelor’s degree. Well, for starters, some jobs only want an Associate’s degree as the main requirement, meaning you save a lot of time by attending a local Community College. Alongside this, higher education expert Jimmie Bruce notes that Community Colleges have increased access and keep tuition fees a lot lower for students. Thus, you can gain some extra education to help you be more suitable for a good job, but without racking up the same debt as someone that goes to a traditional college/university.

Moreover, these smaller colleges can help you prepare for traditional college. Many students go to Community College for two years, meaning they can jump into a traditional college without needing to take the first two years of the course. It can help many people get the extra educational qualifications needed to apply for a proper college course.

Ultimately, Community Colleges represent a different path for a lot of students. If you - or your child - have finished high school and can’t get into a traditional college, opting for a community one can be a great idea to gain some worthwhile qualifications. The flexible nature of Community College also means that it’s a great option for working people as well. If you want to go back to school to learn during your older years, this opens a path for you.

There is often a bad picture that’s painted of these smaller colleges, but they certainly provide many benefits.