Advantages of Attending a Community College

Save Money - On Tuition

The cost to attend a university has been rising steadily, and the vast majority of universities charge thousands of dollars per semester - leaving students with a large amount of debt after they graduate. Many students are discovering they can save thousands of dollars by enrolling in a community college for the first two years before transferring to a university.Community college tuition and fees are much lower than those at universities, and enrolling in a community college allows you to achieve the same level of academic success at a fraction of the cost.

Save Money - Live at Home

Living on campus in either a dormitory or an apartment can be costly. Dormitory housing can cost as much as $4,000-$5,000 per year. Living at home while attending a community college for your first two years of school can save you thousands of dollars.

Complete Your Basics

Core curriculum courses in the State of Texas are transferable to any public college and university. This means that the core courses you take at TSC will transfer to UT-Brownsville or any other Texas public institution.

Faculty Focus on Teaching

Community college faculty focus exclusively on teaching and providing personal attention to students. They are not required, as are most university faculty, to spend time away from the classroom to conduct research or publish. Furthermore, students attending a community college are able to gain a real-world perspective from faculty members who usually have practical work experience in the subjects they teach.

Small Class Sizes

Universities may have classes as large as 300-400 students, while community college average class sizes range from 25-35 students. These small class sizes at community colleges provide an atmosphere in which you can easily ask questions and talk to your instructors and classmates, not only to help you grasp concepts but also build relationships.

Improve your Skills

Community colleges offer a wide variety of support services to assist students in improving their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students who begin their academic careers at a community college and then transfer to a university are more successful than those who begin at a university.

Latest Technologies

Community colleges work closely with local business and industry and are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, classrooms, and facilities. If you are interested in pursuing a career in a cutting-edge field, you will find the opportunities and tools at a community college.

Program Variety

Community colleges offer programs in many fields of study. No matter what your interest, you are sure to find a program that fits your needs.

Support Services

Community colleges offer numerous support services including tutoring, study skills workshops, academic advising, counseling, and career planning. Support services for students with disabilities may include adapted software or assistive equipment for people with mobility, vision, learning, or hearing disabilities.

Flexible Class Schedules

More than 80% of community college students work part-time or full-time jobs and many have family responsibilities.Community colleges offer unique opportunities for working students and new parents to enjoy the benefits of education, at a pace that fits their busy lives, by offering classes during the day, evening, and sometimes on weekends to accommodate students’ work schedules and family commitments.

One-Year and Two-Year Degrees

Community colleges offer students the option to specialize in a field and enter the workforce after completing a degree in just one or two years. This option appeals to many students who do not have the time or resources to obtain a 4-year degree. Additionally, community colleges maintain close working relationships with area employers to assist graduates in locating and securing employment after completing their education.