Should You Consider A 2-Year College Degree

Guest Post by Dr. Brook Zemel, Ph.D., LPC

This week I’ve decided to cover a topic that really hits the pocketbook, not to mention the textbook.  And speaking of textbooks, did you know that the average annual cost of books your child will need to purchase is over $1,000. Of course, this is one cost that will be the same for both the 2 and 4 year colleges. Now let’s explore some factors where they are divergent (I promised myself that I would use that word in this article, since my wife and I read the book and just saw the movie).

Before we get started, and in the interest of full-disclosure, I need to inform you that I spent nearly 36 years working at community colleges.  Consequently, the reader might notice a “slight” bias in my perspective.  Shame on me!  

1. According to the 2013 College Board Annual Survey, the national figures for attending college are as follows:

 The 2 year difference in cost between the two and four year institution is approximately $15,322!  

2. Community colleges offer a more personalized approach to your child’s education. Classes, especially the basic core curriculum courses, at two year colleges tend to be much smaller than those at a 4 year university. The chances of your child sitting in a community college calculus or English class with 500 to 1,500 students is zero, while at a university it is a real possibility. Imagine asking a chemistry question in front of 400 strangers. Why would anyone run the risk of looking “stupid” in front of such a large group, when it’s bad enough looking like a knucklehead in front of your friends?

Community college classes tend to have 30 to 50 students in these basic courses, so it is less risky and a more inviting atmosphere to ask questions. Additionally, it is much easier to get to know your instructor, which is a major factor in successful completion of the course.

Another reality is that at many universities, it’s not the professor who teaches the majority of the course, it’s the graduate student TA’s (teaching assistants) who deliver much of the instruction.  Also, the main focus of the community college professor is teaching, unlike the university where there is intense pressure to conduct research and bring in grant money to the institution.    

3. Students can attend school and work part-time. While, this can be done at both types of institutions it is more common at the community college. This allows them to earn money while attending school, thus providing them with the funds to enjoy the social and extracurricular activities that they enjoy. It also provides them with the time to gain valuable job experience that will provide transferable skills for their career.  Another important factor is that it offers students the time to mature and set goals and priorities in their lives. An added benefit is the possibility of them testing out their skills, aptitudes and interests in order to self-reflect and establish a meaningful path for their lives.

4. Attending a 2 year college provides an established support system and network of family and friends. Granted, it is exciting to enter a new world of endless possibilities when you first arrive at a 4 year on-campus college, but it is also very stressful for many students. This, along with the academic rigors of college, are all too often overwhelming for young people. This takes an amazing amount of resiliency and adjustment on the part of an entering freshman and many, but not all 18 year olds are ready to tackle all of this at one time. 

5. Most community colleges are designed to provide intense college prep (developmental) education courses and, oftentimes, free support services. Many community colleges are at the cutting edge of college prep instructional innovation and technology. Two year colleges are utilizing collaborative group learning, student paced instruction, modular learning, as well as many facets of computer based instruction.  Support services also include tutoring, career and personal counseling and educational planning. In addition, an amazing array of services are provided for special needs students with varying learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairment. Finally, community colleges have made dual credit a viable option. This is a program where high school students receive both high school and college credits for taking special courses. The idea is for high school students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a college’s Associates in Arts Degree. 

While most colleges and universities offer many of the same types of instruction and support services, the main difference is in the delivery, size, cost and an established support system of family and friends. What each family needs to decide is is it worth the over $15,000 two year savings to send your child to a 4 year university rather than a 2 year community college. Personally, I’d rather give the money to my child when they receive the bachelor’s degree, save it to help them pay for their graduate degree, or better yet - charter a yacht and sail with my wife and friends in the BVI’s. Grab your bottle of tequila and bathing suit!

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Dr. Zemel is a retired college vice president of student development, and has over 30 years of career counseling and college planning experience.  He has worked with thousands of individuals of all ages who are exploring career choices and/or involved in the college planning process.  He brings a unique understanding to the career counseling process and what it takes to be happy and successful.  He has offices in the Greenway Plaza area in Houston and in Clear Lake.  You can call him at 281-703-7400.  You can also find out more about him and the other services he provides by visiting his website at Lone Star Career Solutions http://lonestarcareersolutions.com.