As college costs keep going up, many students are looking for cheaper ways to get a degree. This has made community colleges a popular choice.
Community colleges are public schools that offer experiences and education similar to a regular college, but with less financial risk. They often have smaller classes, more support for students, and are usually closer to home, making them an easier commute. This can be a great way to start your higher education.
While some community colleges offer four-year bachelor's degrees, you might not find one for a four-year engineering degree. You could choose a two-year program to earn an associate's degree, or you could take classes to transfer to another college later if you want to.
Community colleges often have the first-year classes you'd need for an engineering degree. You can take math, science, and other basic courses at a community college and then transfer them to a four-year university. These classes might even be better because they often have fewer students and offer more support.
Getting an associate's degree in an engineering field can qualify you to work as a technician on an engineering team. This can be a good way to start your career in engineering.
If you plan to go straight for a bachelor's degree in engineering, you might not need an associate's degree. It's important to know that each university decides which credits they will accept from a community college. Colleges usually only accept certain classes based on their own rules. So, if you want to transfer your credits to a four-year program, you should contact that university beforehand. This way, you'll know which classes to take and won't waste time on ones that won't count.
Deciding if community college is right for you depends on a few things. Not all community colleges are the same quality. You might also find that they don't offer as many clubs, labs, or internship opportunities as a four-year university.
If your main goal is to become a qualified engineer, you'll most likely need a four-year degree. If you can, starting directly at a university that offers that degree might help you avoid problems with transferring credits and give you more opportunities.
However, community colleges are an affordable way to learn the basics of many subjects. They can be close to home and provide a supportive learning environment. If you plan to transfer, remember to talk to the university you want to go to about their transfer rules. A community college is also a good choice if you want to get a two-year degree that allows you to work as an engineering technician.