Community College or Online Learning: Which is For You?
Looking for an affordable way to complete your general education requirements? Community college and online learning are both great options on the path to a four-year degree.
But be careful. Affordability might be the only thing they have in common. Before you enroll, let's examine the benefits and drawbacks of each choice.
Community College
Pros
● Depending on the community college, your tuition may be one-third of a traditional four-year institution. Most students live nearby, so they don’t pay for room and board. Community colleges also offer financial aid for almost every student who fills out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
● Many campuses include clubs, activities, athletics, and the potential to make friends. Unlike most universities with on-campus housing, community colleges tailor their campus life to commuter students and their availability.
● Compared to many midsize or large universities, community colleges have smaller classes, so students can create personal connections with professors. The tight-knit learning space offers more accountability than their larger school counterparts.
Cons
● Community colleges lack the flexibility that online programs offer. Semesters start and stop on a strict schedule and most classes require students to be on campus at specific times. You might find it difficult to juggle responsibilities such as jobs or kids if the classes you need are offered at inconvenient times.
● Although community colleges are more affordable than four-year institutions, extra fees for labs and textbooks make schooling more expensive than online learning. Depending on the commuting distance, transportation costs could affect affordability as well.
● Smaller class sizes are an advantage to many when it comes to receiving individual attention and seeking help, but some courses may be canceled because of insufficient registration. This might delay a student’s projected graduation date.
Online Learning
Pros
● Online learning offers self-directed courses year-round, making it the most flexible option for completing general education requirements. At Portage Learning, you can start your course any time within six months of registering.
● Unlike community colleges, online courses include all expenses upfront. Taking fees and transportation into account, online courses are even more affordable than community college. At Portage Learning, each credit is $223. Several courses include labs with four transferable credits and no additional fees.
● There are no scheduling issues for Portage Learning students. Courses can be taken any time, from anywhere. Professors are available to answer questions promptly before a student moves forward with the curriculum.
Cons
● Online courses lack the sense of community a campus provides.
● After taking prerequisites online, students still must enter a college or other program to earn a degree.
● The self-directed model of learning requires more self-discipline than a traditional classroom setting. Even though online learning means being more intentional about studying, Portage Learning’s Student Success team offers support at any time. Completing courses on your own can feel intimidating, but our Student Success team and professors are available to help with timely responses.
● Most community colleges offer two-year degrees, while online institutions such as Portage do not. For those looking to complete an associate degree or shorter, Portage still offers important general education courses your program requires. If you intend to pursue a four-year degree, Portage allows you to earn credits without the hassle of transferring schools.
Ready to earn transferable credits?
Register with Portage Learning today! We offer a variety of self-directed, online courses and strive for flexibility while maintaining academic excellence. Portage Learning credits transfer to more than 2,000 schools across the country, and unlike community colleges, you won’t have to split your college experience between two campuses. Explore our courses to see what’s right for you!
