Difference between universities and community colleges?

Question

My friend thinks that a community college is just as good as going to a university and doesn't see the point in traveling to a university when you can spend less money and go to a community college right near your home. She also says her mom got a Masters in teaching and I didn't even think you could get a Masters in community college. (Can you??) But I think Universities have more opportunities and are a lot better than community colleges. What do you think?

Answer 1

I don't know about other states, but in California the community college system only offers associate of arts degrees.  You have to transfer to a university to get your bachelors degree.  But it can be the best way for a lot of students to be accepted to the most prestigious UC schools, like UCLA or Berkeley.  Those universities are so competitive that most applicants won't be accepted, even with a very high GPA out of high school.  Getting a high GPA at a community college can make admission easier, because they reserve some spaces in the junior year available to community college transfer students.  My niece just graduated from UCLA after spending her first two years at a community college and has been accepted to UCLA with a scholarship to the PHd program in her field.  You can't write off the community college system, but it can be a great stepping stone.  Other states and private universities may offer similar transfer opportunities.  

Answer 2

No, you can't get a masters from a community college.  She might be thinking of a state university.  Community colleges only offer 2-year associate degrees.  It's good for saving money on general education courses, catching up on pre-requisites, raising your GPA if you did poorly in high school, or going for a specific training program (dental hygiene, for example).  But universities and 4-year colleges offer more advanced degrees, so that's always going to be 'better'.

Answer 3

Universities have a better quality of education & cost more and usually have all smart kids so no dropout gangs so usually safer...

Answer 4

I agree with you. And plus some credits won't tranfer to Univeristy from some community colleges because they're not on par. That's not to say you can't save money and maybe do your first two years there, but I think that overall Universities are much better and yes you have much more oppertunities.

However there are some colleges that are superior. Darthmouth College for example is part of the Ivy League (although in most ways they are a university) and Reed College is one of the most difficult colleges to graduate from and is known throughout the Ivy League.

Really it's whatever fits you best. It depends on the person, but for me, I am looking into Universities.

Answer 5

Go to community college your first 2 years...take all the pre-reqs and save yourself a ton of money. Transfer to a 4 year to finish your degree, you usually can't go past an associates at community college.