Have you come to the conclusion that a large university is not right for you? Or maybe you’ve decided to work while attending school. Whatever your situation is, there is another learning environment that may meet your needs. That place is community college.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, as of January 2008, 11.5 million students were enrolled in community colleges. These institutions gave out 555,000 Associate degrees and 295,000 academic certificates. When it comes to employment, 95% of businesses and organizations that employ community college graduates recommend community college workforce education and training programs*.

So what are some of the advantages of attending a community college?

Community colleges can be forgiving when it comes to your past academic performance. Most schools will accept you as long as you have a high school diploma or GED. This does not mean that you’ll be on easy street once you enroll. You’ll need to maintain your grades in order to remain at your school of choice. Most community colleges offer remedial classes to help you get up to speed.

In a time where we find ourselves tightening our wallets, community colleges can be quite economical in comparison to four-year colleges. If you are considering earning a Bachelor’s degree at another school, you can save a significant amount of money by completing your core classes at a community college.

Community colleges also provide convenient learning options for working individuals. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 50% of full-time students attending these institutions were employed part time. Fifty percent of part-time students attending community colleges were employed full time*. Community Colleges are prepared to handle the needs of non-traditional students. Classes are usually offered in a variety of times during days, evenings and sometimes weekends.

Not fond of large class sizes? Community colleges offer smaller classes that encourage more classroom interaction. These classes are taught by instructors who may be more focused on teaching. Community college jobs can be highly competitive which means you won’t get short-changed when it comes to your classroom experience.

Top Colleges can help you find the community college that’s right for you. Get started today!

*American Association of Community Colleges Fast Facts- http://www.aacc.nche.edu/AboutCC/Pages/fastfacts.aspx