Finding the RIGHT college for YOU!
Use the following resources to figure out the characteristics of the school you want to attend. Then, research, research, research! There IS a school out there for YOU!
2-year vs. 4-year College Options
Pros
2-year Community College· Affordability- Community Colleges are usually less expensive per credit hour than 4-year colleges and can be an inexpensive way to take some of your prerequisite courses for your first year or two of college.
· Location- You may not be ready to move far away from home after graduation. If you have a community college close by, it could be in your best interest to take a year of classes and commute from home. · Academic Opportunities- Classes generally move at a slower pace at community colleges than they do at universities. If you struggled through high school, this setting may be more helpful to your college success than attending a 4-year college. · A+ program- You can use your A+ program funds at community colleges in the state of Missouri. ***see note below |
4-year College or University· Choices- If you can dream something up, you can find a 4-year college that offers a course or major in it.
· Collegiate Experience- From school spirit, to dorm living, athletic events to rec sports, and Homecoming to student life, 4-year colleges offer students a well-rounded college experience that you cannot get on a community college campus. · Academic Opportunities- 4-year colleges offer many challenging classes that will give you opportunities to expand your thinking and explore ideas that you may have never considered. · Scholarship Options- 4-year colleges offer scholarships specifically to students who are first-time freshman (you have not taken college classes on a college campus). If you start out at a community college, you will forfeit these scholarship opportunities. ***see note below |
***Note: If you have an exceptional academic record, the scholarships you would receive at a 4-year college may save you more in the end than using your A+ funds before transferring to a 4-year school. See example below:
If you are a student, graduating in the top 10% of your class who scored a 28 on your ACT you could:
A. Use your A+ funds to go to Ozark Technical Community College before transferring to Missouri State University
$ 1,020 (student fees for 2 years at OTC)
+ $12,552 (tuition and fees at MSU for 2 years)
$13,572 (total tuition and fees paid over 4 years)
B. Go to Missouri State University with a freshman scholarship for four years
$25,104 (cost of tuition and fees at MSU for four years)
- $23,808 (merit scholarship renewable over 4 years- not available to transfer students)
$ 1,296 (total tuition and fees paid to attend MSU for four years)
Keep in mind that A+ does not cover student fees, only tuition. For the sake of this example, room and board are not considered. To counteract room and board, both schools are located in the same city, so comparable housing could be used for each example.
If you are a student, graduating in the top 10% of your class who scored a 28 on your ACT you could:
A. Use your A+ funds to go to Ozark Technical Community College before transferring to Missouri State University
$ 1,020 (student fees for 2 years at OTC)
+ $12,552 (tuition and fees at MSU for 2 years)
$13,572 (total tuition and fees paid over 4 years)
B. Go to Missouri State University with a freshman scholarship for four years
$25,104 (cost of tuition and fees at MSU for four years)
- $23,808 (merit scholarship renewable over 4 years- not available to transfer students)
$ 1,296 (total tuition and fees paid to attend MSU for four years)
Keep in mind that A+ does not cover student fees, only tuition. For the sake of this example, room and board are not considered. To counteract room and board, both schools are located in the same city, so comparable housing could be used for each example.
2-year vs. 4-year College Options
Cons
2-year Community College· Academic Opportunities- If you are an exceptional student, you may not feel challenged in community college courses. This can result in boredom and lack of interest in your courses. However, most community colleges have very high academic standards!
· Commuter Campuses- Very few community colleges have on-campus living options like dorms or student apartments. You will be responsible for finding housing and commuting to campus. · Choices- While many community colleges have extensive course offerings, they simply do not offer as many as you can find at 4-year schools. |
4-year College or University· Affordability- 4-year colleges are usually more expensive than community colleges, but financial aid options can significantly reduce tuition costs.
· Size- Many 4-year colleges have a much larger student body than most community colleges, so students can feel like they are “lost in the shuffle.” However, some 4-year colleges have student populations of only 500 to 1,000 students. Research student populations if class size matters to you. |