Are you considering going back to school? If so, you might want to consider looking into attending a community college. While community colleges once had a reputation for providing less-than-quality education to their students, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, community colleges are held to the same high standards as other colleges and universities when it comes to accreditation procedures. At the same time, they offer a number of benefits that traditional universities simply cannot. Here’s a look at some of the advantages to attending community colleges and why you should give these schools a second look.

Make it Personal When You Attend a Community College

One advantage to attending a community college is the fact that you can receiver more personalized attention. Since class sizes tend to be much smaller at community colleges, you have the opportunity to get to know your teachers and your classmates at a far more personal manner. Rather than being just another face in the crowd, you can be certain your professor will know who you are when you attend a community college.

Get a Quality Education from Your Community College

As previously mentioned, community colleges offer their students with the opportunity to obtain a quality education. A number of very successful people have graduated from community colleges, including a number of leaders in education, business, politics, government and sports. Several celebrities are also graduates of community colleges. Some of notable people who attended these schools include:

· Billy Crystal
· Clint Eastwood
· Jackie Robinson
· Joan Lunden
· Nick Nolte
· Tom Hanks

These noted figures aren’t alone. In fact, according to experts, approximately 44% of all undergraduates are attending a community college.

Find Acceptance at a Community College

Community colleges tend to have an open door policy, which means they won’t hold your previous school performance against you. So long as you have a high school diploma or a GED, you should be able to get into a community college. Once you are there, you have the opportunity to erase your past and prove that you are capable of being successful in the school setting. If you are interested in ultimately attending a state university, a proven record at a community college can help make this possible.

Enjoy the Convenience Community Colleges Offer

Another benefit to attending a community college is the fact that they are generally more convenient to attend than universities. Because the classes are geared toward working adults, the schedules are far more flexible. In fact, it is not unusual for classes to be offered in the evening, late afternoon or weekend. You can also choose to attend on a part-time basis if this is better suited to your schedule. If you decide to attend part time, you will not be alone as approximately 63% of community college students are attending on a part time basis.

Save Money When Attending a Community College

Since tuition tends to be considerably less at a community college, you can also save a substantial amount of money when you go this route rather than attending a university. Usually, tuition at a community college costs only about $1,518 per year. In other words, for the price you will pay for one class at the typical university, you should be able to pick up three classes through a community college. Even better, you are still eligible to receive financial aid, scholarships and student loans when you attend a community college. So, attending a community college can be a great way to cut down on the total cost of attaining your degree.

Enjoy the “Extras” that Universities Have to Offer
One of the great things about attending a community college is the fact that you don’t have to give up the little extras that universities have to offer. If you want to partake in the college lifestyle, for example, community colleges typically have plenty of clubs and other activities available for students. In addition, tutoring programs are usually quite active at community colleges, which means you can get a little extra help from someone who is knowledgeable in the area if necessary.