Two vs. Four Years

Perhaps you took my advice and checked out a few colleges and universities over February beak. Even if you didn’t that’s ok, now is still a great time to begin thinking about what type of school your student may be interested in attending. As you may have noticed there is a lot of variety out there. So let’s break it down. The two most common are 4 year colleges and universities, and 2 years programs, typically known as community colleges.

While community colleges and similar programs can sometimes get a bad wrap, they are a great option for many students. For individuals who are interested in vocational careers, two year programs a great opportunity for them to quickly get the schooling they need. Two year schools can also be a great option for students who are not sure what degree program they are interested in or for students who lack a strong high school transcript. Most two year schools allow students to complete pre-requisite courses that can easily transfer to larger four year institutions. Not to mention the well know fact that two year programs are often much much cheaper than traditional four year programs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees at a two-year school is just $1,935, approximately one-third of the cost for a year at a four-year public institution.

While community colleges offer a great option for many students, a majority of graduating seniors will choose four year colleges and universities. Students who chose to attend four year programs are often times looking for a broader range of courses, and ultimately hope to graduate with a degree they can apply to careers in the real world. At most four year colleges and universities students will spend the first few years taking generalized courses before delving into courses for their major in their junior and senior years. Additionally, larger four year institutions typical offer a wider ranger of cultural, lecture, sporting, club and organization opportunities, as well as internships and study abroad opportunities. Unfortunately, more activities and services typically lead to a higher price tag. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average cost of one year of tuition, fees, room, and board at a public four-year school costs you an average yearly bill of $12,108, which can easily double or triple at private institutions.

Keep in mind these are just the most basic categories. Other options within these include Liberal Arts, military, technical, and business schools. While they follow the general guidelines of most two and four year institutions, there can be a wide variety in the types of curriculum and opportunities offered, as well as the price tag attached.

To read more on the differences between two year and four year institutions click here.