Deciding which college is best suited for you (and which you are best suited for) is tough. These days, college hopefuls have a full roster of options – all offering different advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when it comes time to decide between your local college and a university, there are a number of things to take into consideration. If you find yourself wondering how best to sort through the variety of advanced education institutions available to you, check out this breakdown of the pros and cons of local colleges versus universities.
In this post:
Cost
Simply put, it costs less to attend a local community college, tuition-wise. In addition to tuition fees, you also have to account for the cost of driving to and from school, in which case local colleges also win. Generally speaking, it is also easier to find financial aid from local sponsors, in the form of scholarships and grants, when you choose to attend a local college.
Housing
One of the most important things to consider when trying to choose a college is where you are going to live. If you attend a local school, then it may be possible to live with your parents, whereas attending a university may require that you rent housing. Being responsible for your own expenses during your college years can be a huge burden when you are trying to make the grades, so your housing is likely to be one of the most important factors that weigh into your college decision.
Residency
Going to a local college means that you will easily be able to establish residency. Residency means that you will pay several times less than you would if you were to go to an out-of-state university. Can you afford not to stay local?
Instructor attention
When you attend a big-time university, you will most likely spend a lot of your time in an impersonal lecture setting. However, when you attend smaller local institutions like community colleges, it is likely that you will receive the bulk of your education in a more one-on-one fashion. This is great for when you are first starting out and getting accustomed to the college atmosphere, and can also be tantamount to your ability to make the grades while you are adjusting to college life.
As you can see, there are some definite pluses and minuses when it comes to choosing which college you want to attend. In order to make the right decision, you must first consider your personal circumstances. There is no one right or wrong way, but there is a way that is best for you.
