The Importance Of Community College Education

Perhaps one of the greatest concerns that torments America’s new generation is pursuing higher education in order to make more money and while avoiding being in debt, decades after graduation. This topic has become even more as tuition continues to rise and politicians are left to ponder the best course of action to insure that the next generation of Americans is more educated than the last. One particular solution was posed by former president, Barack Obama, who promoted the idea of free community college. Although, it may not be the most direct or most elegant solution, it would certainly be a push in the right direction. By making community college tuition free nationwide, states would become more invested in accommodating the influx of students, lead different school systems to compete by lowering tuition prices, and finally address America’s shortcoming in adults who possess more than just high school diploma.

This article provides an insightful view into the perceived and real status of community colleges in relation to their university counterparts. Once thought of as a place merely for underachievers to attend for workforce training, Trowbridge points out these institutions now have more to offer. They provide an affordable opportunity for students to complete the same courses that are available at the university for a fraction of the cost. Noting the financial savings in comparison to the traditional university, along with the overall quality of instruction, local community colleges have become a viable alternative for those seeking a college education without the incurring unnecessary amounts of debt.

Making community college free will be able to support lower income students ability to have their tuition paid and in most cases their books as well. Most people know than most of the time, money can be a very big barrier in being able to continue one’s path of higher education. For dedicated students who want to be able to continue their education but yet can not afford the tuition of a 4 year institution or sometimes a 2 year

Introducing free college tuition would have a positive impact of The United States, even so much as two year associate’s degree would have a hung impact. Free college tuition would give hope to the families which can’t afford the cost of tuition. Fran Cubberley states in his paper “The reality of Free Community College Tuition” that “1,300 students who completed our entry process through course registration ultimately dropped out before classes were underway. One of the major reasons was they could not pay their tuition.” Cost for tuition is huge factor on why people don’t attend college. Just think of all the amazing talent that the world is missing out on because people don’t have the money to attend college and get a degree or

While researching this topic I came upon a very interesting article; Why tuition free College Makes Sense. The author, Lawrence S. Wittner, explains briefly the

Since Obama’s announcement of his idea to provide free community college an uproar of an argument has arose with two distinct sides: community college should be free and community college should not be free. The idea behind free community college is to help individuals reach towards a college degree just as people are easily set forth to reach for a high school degree. The hope is that by deleting the financial barrier that comes with community college more people are willing to aim for an associates degree and possibly higher. There are states that have decided to take the matter into their own hands and are planning to implement this idea. However, the idea of having free community college implemented throughout all states is still questionable

Making College tuition free would over-all result in a more educated society. “We have made K-12 education free because it is good for the individual and for society. The same is true for higher education” (Page).

A "moderate" college budget for an in-state public college for the 2015–2016 academic year averaged $24,061. College is an extremely costly experience that limits most people from not coming into the graduation range due to the debts they would never be able to pay back throughout their life. Community colleges should have a free tuition so that upon attending, lower debt on students, a healthier lifestyle, community improvement, availability, and a smarter country may be implemented with the students.

“Forty percent of college students choose community college…Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy, without a load of debt,” quoted President Barack Obama (Calvert). The average community college tuition is about five thousand dollars or less. Compared to an average four-year college, it can ten to twenty thousand dollars of tuition. Let’s say you decide to go to a community college after high school or whenever. You would most likely be saving a lot of money by going to a community college instead of a four-year school. Imagine how much you would save if America’s community colleges were free. Not having to pay for two years of college would save around ten thousand dollars,

In the article titled “Should Community College be Free?” written by Joanne Jacobs, the author talks up the argument about whether Community College should be free and presents both sides being that Community College should in fact be free for the many students who cannot afford it which will increase, “the number of people with degrees”, according to past President Barack Obama. The other side argues that making Community College free will only help those whose parents make too much to afford Grants stating that those who can afford it will be taking advantage of the free cost and making the schools overcrowded.

In the article “The Good That Community Colleges Do, Part 1”, author Rob Jenkins discusses the benefits and values of Community College. Recent studies have shown that the value of two-year colleges were hard to predict. In fact, one report shows that the value of a two-year degree is less than that of a high school diploma, while another report shows that most students are receiving a financial return on their degree. While Rob Jenkins believes both reports have valid points and arguments, he states that “so many of the things that community colleges do for their students and communities are difficult to measure empirically” (“The Good That Community Colleges Do, Part 1”).

Approaching the end of senior year everyone was receiving acceptance letters to all well credited schools, like Rutgers, The College of New Jersey, Fordham, and many others, but there were some people, like me, who were opening letter from community colleges to attend. I quickly realized that I did not take high school seriously and was lackadaisical with my studies, causing my grades to suffer, ultimately leaving me no choice, but to go to community college. In hindsight, going to community college was not a regretful decision, and it has shaped me into the person I am now. People from all sorts of life come to community college for many different reasons, mainly similar to mine, to redeem their high school-self and get better grades.

I always said I wouldn’t attend a community college because of the stigma. I foolishly figured it was self-degradation because I was the valedictorian of my high school graduating class. My friend even joked, “Wouldn’t it be hilarious if you went to a community college?” I gulped and vowed to myself to never attend a community college. Yet, here I am, unashamed. I actually regret not initially attending community college.

Many times the reputations associated with community college is that they are “less academically serious”, “the lazier choice”, or that “anyone can get in.” But as times start to change and different factors are put into consideration, these accusations are not true. In fact, community colleges may actually seem like the smarter choice especially to start off with.

Since the cost of attending a community college, even a university, is too high it makes many students settle for less by not taking many classes that can help them get the career they want because they can not afford books. So in result of making community college free it will basically create more jobs because more student will be able to pursue their career and become more educated.