what is community college

WHAT IS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Community colleges, also known as junior colleges, are a form of educational institution that offers a variety of courses to students to help them improve their skills and prepare them for a transfer to a university.  These colleges provide a level of accessibility (in terms of time, money, and geography) that is not available at most four-year colleges. They are primarily two-year colleges that offer students access to affordable post-secondary education and equip them for their future aspirations.

Community colleges first appeared in the early 20th century as a means of addressing the needs of young adults who did not want to or could not afford to leave their families to seek higher education. These smaller colleges differ from traditional four-year institutions in that they were built locally, in towns, requiring students to leave their homes and live in residence halls to attend their campuses. Source

Difference between Community college and Universities

In a community college, students can study for a certificate or diploma and then transfer to a university to finish their bachelor's degree in two years. Since these institutions are supported by the government, anyone with a high school diploma is welcome to enrol.

A university is an institution for higher learning and research that confers degrees in a variety of academic fields. In general, universities provide both undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Most degrees at community colleges take two years to accomplish, which is the main difference between them and universities. Conversely, standard four-year universities require four years to complete a degree. 

Compared to universities, community colleges often have far more lenient admission standards. Additionally, it costs a lot less than at a university. In terms of time, money, and location, community colleges provide a level of accessibility that is rare at most four-year institutions. Source

Type of Courses Offered

The types of courses that community colleges offer are listed below.

• Certificate
• Diploma
• Advance Diploma/ Associate Degree

Benefits for attending a community college

• Tuition costs - Community colleges often charge less tuition than four-year institutions.  The cost of certification programmes at community colleges is often less than that of two- and four-year degree programmes.
• Smaller classes - Due to smaller class sizes, you'll typically receive more individualised attention at a community college. This is especially true for general education courses taken as a freshman or sophomore.
• Financial aid - Most community colleges offer financial aid incentives for students who need help paying for college tuition in addition to lower tuition rates. For community college students, some financial help also covers the price of supplies, as well as travel and lodging expenses. 
• Flexibility - Community colleges are accustomed to juggling the demanding schedules of parents and full-time employees. A community college offers more flexibility than a state university if you need to juggle a family or work while taking classes. 
• Your Credits Can Be Transferred - Anywhere you choose to start your education, you can always finish it somewhere else. The majority of states have transfer programmes set up so that you can spend your first two years in a community college and finish your degree at a larger institution. 
• You'll Have More Employment Opportunities - Any type of further education will open up more work prospects for you. Source

Community colleges in India

The following universities grant affiliation to more than 150 community colleges in India:

• Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry
• Krishna University
• Gauhati University
• Dibrugarh University
• Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur
• Sardar Patel University
• Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University
• Kurukshetra University
• Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
• H.P. University, Shimla
• Kolhan University
• Rani Chennamma University
• University of Mysore
• Karnataka University
• Kuvempu University
• Mahatma Gandhi University
• University of Calicut
• Kerala University
• Madhya Pradesh
• Jiwaji University
• Devi Ahilya University, Indore
• Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University
• Pune University
• Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati
• Dr. B.A. Marathwada University
• RTM Nagpur University
• Shivaji University, Kolhapur
• University of Mumbai
• Manipur University
• Nagaland University
• Panjab University
• University of Madras
• Bharathiar University
• Madurai Kamaraj University
• Mother Teresa Women’s University
• Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
• University of Allahabad
• Ch. Charan Singh University
• University of Lucknow
• University of Calcutta
• Vidyasagar University  Source