| Community College education has many advantages; | | | | 3. Community colleges offer a limited choice for |
| however, there are a few disadvantages of | | | | specific classes as compared to the classes offered |
| community college education that need to be | | | | by a university. You may also require an extra |
| mentioned. We prefer to look at the positive side of | | | | semester or an extra year to complete your |
| things, but choose to ignore the negative aspects. | | | | associate degree. Universities, on the other hand offer |
| However, in case of community college education, the | | | | a greater amount of flexibility and choice of classes, |
| positive aspects far outweigh the negatives. In case | | | | especially for the lower level graduate courses. |
| you decide to take up community college education | | | | 4. The libraries at the community colleges are much |
| and plan to go on for further studies at the university | | | | smaller as compared to universities. This therefore |
| level, you should be aware of the larger picture. Some | | | | limits the students' ability to do research. The simple |
| of the disadvantages associated with community | | | | reason for this is the fact that universities have a |
| college education are discussed below: | | | | larger fund to spend on the libraries and research |
| 1. Students, who plan to transfer to university after | | | | facilities compared to the community colleges. |
| completing the two-year community college course, | | | | Universities can thus afford to have large libraries for |
| should ensure that the courses they are taking are | | | | the benefit of their students. |
| compatible to those available at the university level. | | | | Many state governments are passing laws to make it |
| Most often, these are compatible, but there may be | | | | mandatory for the colleges within the state to accept |
| some exceptions that you should know about. In case | | | | the transfer of community college credits, in a bid to |
| you are planning to attend a University situated near | | | | retain qualified workers in the state. Some universities |
| your present community college, you can verify if they | | | | offer distance education programs to benefit those |
| have some agreement that will allow the transfer of | | | | students who live far away from the campus. This |
| associate degree graduates to the university, easily. | | | | enables a larger number of people to access the |
| 2. Another disadvantage of a community college is | | | | educational opportunities that may not have been |
| that it does not provide residential accommodation to | | | | possible earlier. |
| students. They are mostly commuter campuses, as | | | | If you wish to discontinue your education at the |
| they prefer to spend on academic development rather | | | | community college level, you will be limiting your earning |
| than on student housing. Residential campuses are | | | | capability to a great extent. Community colleges serve |
| convenient for students to participate in sports and | | | | as a springboard to university level education. |
| other extra curricular activities that may be held at the | | | | Therefore, you should consider the benefits of |
| college. Community colleges in the rural areas usually | | | | transferring to a university, even though community |
| provide hostel facilities to their students. | | | | colleges may offer a better learning environment. |