With rising education costs, more students are turning to community colleges for their affordability, flexible hours and smaller class sizes. Whether you’re a high school student planning your next move or a parent trying to help your child decide on a career path, you might have some misconceptions about community college. Here’s what you need to know about this educational option.

Separating Community College Fact & Fiction

1. They’re Only Meant for Vocational Training 

Many people believe community colleges are strictly for vocational training. They’re ideal for those who want to become mechanics, nurses, or computer technicians, but that’s only part of it. These schools also offer a core education to prepare interested students for a four-year college. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree can significantly reduce their debt by attending the first year or two at a community college.

2. Alumni Aren’t Successful 

If you think starting out at a vocational school means you can’t become successful, think again. Quite a few notable figures started their careers at community colleges. This list includes actors Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks, football commissioner Pete Rozelle, and Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg, to name a few.

3. Students Couldn’t Get Accepted Elsewhere

Some believe community colleges house students who couldn’t make it into a four-year institution. This isn’t true. Many students enroll to take advantage of the flexible hours that allow them to work while attending school part-time. Community college is ideal for students who want to save money and stay close to home, even if they’re preparing to transfer to a bigger university.

4. Transferring to a Four-Year College Is Difficult

Two- and four-year institutions work together to make the transfer from a community college to a four-year institution smooth. In fact, they were designed for this purpose. Many of them have systems in place to provide smooth transitions from one school to the next with a solid knowledge base and transfer credits within a student’s chosen major.

5. Curriculum Isn’t Challenging 

Community colleges are inexpensive, but it doesn't mean they provide an education of lesser quality. The courses are often the same as introductory classes at four-year universities. Since community colleges tend to be smaller than other schools, students benefit from reduced class sizes and more interaction with their instructors. This ensures every attendee gets the tools and support they need to thrive in the classroom and meet academic challenges.

Community college is a valuable stepping stone to the career of your choice. Attending also helps prepare you for a four-year college in the future. To learn more about the advantages, Southeast Community College, with campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford, NE, is happy to share their insight. They offer more than 50 programs of study to match everyone with the right opportunity. Find out about the scholarships and associates degrees they offer by calling 402-471-3333. You can also visit their website to learn more about their academic and professional certification programs.