Are you thinking about going to college but are worried about cost, time, or finding the right pathway? Community college offers an affordable, flexible way to get a degree, build skills, and prepare for transfer or a career—whether you’re a high school graduate, adult learner, or professional looking to upskill.
In this guide, we’ll explain why the decision to go to community college is a strong choice, what kinds of classes and programs you can take, and how to make the most of your community college experience.
What is Community College?
Community college is a public institution for post-high school learners who want to get a degree or certificate. Community colleges offer college-level courses at affordable prices, making it an inexpensive way to start a college education.
Students who go to community colleges can earn an associate degree or workforce certificate. Some community colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in career fields (nursing or computers) where there is a high need for trained workers.
Many community college credit programs transfer to a four-year university, giving students a jumpstart on their college education at a very reasonable price.
What are the Key Benefits of Community College?
There are four key benefits to going to a community college.
Affordability. Students who live in a community college district can take advantage of low tuition costs. That’s because most districts are supported by state and local tax dollars to provide an education to residents. Some students also qualify for free tuition, making community colleges the smart choice.
Flexibility. Community colleges offer online, evening and weekend classes because many of their students work or care for children or families. They also may offer short semesters, such as 8 week classes, so students can move through their program faster.
Support & Resources. Community colleges provide support such as food, mental health, tutoring and coaching, emergency funds, and other aid to students so students can focus on their classes and their degree plan. Students can use these services without paying extra. Students also get academic advising and help in applying for financial aid and scholarships.
Transfer Support. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college attend workshops, planning events, on-on-one transfer advice, college tours, and other help. Many community colleges have direct relationships with universities that streamline the transfer path.
Who Should Go to Community College?
Here are a few reasons why students who go to community college discover that it works for them.
- Community college is where students can get an associate degree (and even a bachelor’s degree!) and then transfer to a four-year school, reducing their financial costs.
- Community college is where students can learn a trade or earn certificates to rack up their skills.
- Community college is where military veterans can build on their service and train for a new career or in a new discipline.
- Community college is where adult learners go back to school and get training that will fast track them to a new in-demand career.
The fact is, community colleges offer the same high-value, exciting, and challenging programs as a four-year college at affordable tuition rates. They feature smaller class sizes, community resources, and academic advising to make sure students are successful.
Want to learn more? Explore academic and workforce programs and discover your path at ACC.
What Kinds of Classes Can I Take at Community College?
Community colleges are known for flexible, affordable education options. Students can choose from academic credit classes that lead to an associate degree, technical training classes that lead to a certificate, professional credential training, and continuing education classes that can be work related or for personal enrichment.
One kind of associate degree is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university. Students take their core and introductory classes in their major at a community college. Once they’ve earned their associate degree, they can transfer to a college as a junior, and earn their bachelor’s degree. Starting at a community college is an affordable way to get a bachelor’s degree.
Other types of associate degrees, often called an associate of applied science, is a workforce degree. While it may include some core classes, these degree programs are aimed at preparing for a career or for getting a bachelor’s of applied science or bachelor’s of applied technology.
Technical certificates also provide job training. While there may be some associate degree crossover, technical certificates are designed for students who want to go directly into the workforce with specific technical training.
Community College and Academics
The following degree plans are some of the most popular community college associate degrees.
Criminal Justice Associate Degree
A criminal justice degree is far more than just law enforcement training and can prepare students to transfer to a number of different bachelor’s degree programs. A criminal justice degree program encompasses history, law, science, government, and sociology, as well as police procedures, criminal law, and court processes.
Manufacturing Associate Degree
Manufacturing has gone high tech. As a result, students who get a technology degree in manufacturing are well-prepared to succeed in this industry sector. ACC offers three Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees: Advanced Manufacturing, Medical Devices Technology, and Automation and Robotics Technology.
Business Administration
Students who aspire to become entrepreneurs, CEOs, or chief marketing officers can start with an associate degree in business. This degree is designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution. At many universities, getting into a prestigious business school is competitive. Therefore, starting at a community college is an affordable way to meet your goal – which just makes good business sense.
Pre-Med Associate Degree
A student who wants to become a doctor can start at ACC with a general studies in pre-health sciences major. This foundational program lays the groundwork for a pre-med degree and the other health sciences degrees. After earning an associate degree in pre-med, students will be ready to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school, and then med school. Taking this path makes a very expensive education more affordable.
Job Training
The mandate of Austin Community College is to prepare a workforce for the most in-demand careers. In Central Texas, that means healthcare, manufacturing, and tech.
Nursing Associate Degrees and Stackable Certificates
Aspiring nurses start with a general studies in pre-health sciences major. They go on to earn an associate of applied science in nursing, which qualifies them to sit for the rigorous NCLEX exam and get their RN. (Fact: ACC’s Nursing Program has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in Texas). Students can go on to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) right here at ACC. The nursing program also has certificates that stack, so students who get an LVN certificate can use those credits as the basis for getting an ADN, then a BSN, and more.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Coding. Cybersecurity. Network management. IT professionals know that they have to keep learning to stay competitive, and ACC is here to help them. ACC has certifications such as Apple SWIFT, Oracle and Cisco certifications, and more. Additionally, students can get an associate degree or bachelor’s degrees in software coding, LAN management, and cybersecurity, allowing students in the associate degree program go on to get an affordable bachelor of applied science.
Fast-Track Careers
For students who are looking to skill up fast, the decision to go to community college is the way to go. ACC offers a number of training programs that are designed to teach people skills and get them working fast. These fast track career programs can be completed in as little as 6 weeks to one year, and they are designed to lead to careers in fields in which there will always be demand. As a result, students get into the workforce and start earning money right away.
Most of these programs require training for specific skills, such as welding, lineworker, HVAC repair, and CAD drafting. These are just some of the skilled training programs that ACC offers.
Want more information about these and other programs? Click request for information and talk to an advisor.
Bachelor’s Degrees
An associate degree is just the beginning. Students who go to community college have a lot of options to advance their career in manufacturing, computer science, or nursing, ACC offers four bachelor’s degree programs that combine career readiness and academic education. These programs build on the work student have accomplished in their associate degree program plans. For a bachelor’s degree at a fraction of the cost of the average college education, read on:
Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Students who have manufacturing experience and who are getting their associate degree now have a path to a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Software Development. Students who have or are getting their associate degree can take four more semesters for their BAS.
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Cybersecurity. Students in the cybersecurity track can now get a BAS in cybersecurity, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT.
RN-to-BSN. Nursing students who have achieved their RN can get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in one year, making them eligible for higher paid positions in nursing, healthcare management, and getting advanced nursing degrees.
How to Make the Most of Community College
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your community college experience.
Choose a major. As with a traditional four-year college, you’ll benefit from choosing a major, or a field of study. This provides you with a program map that makes sure you take only the classes you need to take, so you don’t waste time or money in earning your certificate or degree. Here’s a business administration program map as an example.
Work closely with your advisor. After you apply and before you register, work with your advisor so you know exactly what classes you need to take each semester. Meet with your advisor each semester to make sure you’re on track. At many colleges you can even plan out your semesters in advance so you know exactly what to register for.
Use support resources. Resources are there for you, whether it’s to pick up groceries at the food pantry or scheduling a tutoring session, or meeting with your professor.
Take advantage of transfer and career services. Whether you plan to go on to a university or into the working world, work with the transfer and career services teams to make this transition seamless.
Explore student life. Did you know you can play sports and join clubs at community colleges? Find your community — it’s right there in the name. And some organizations, such as honor societies and student government, can help you even after you graduate.
Community College 101
You have questions. We have answers. Here are the basics about community college.
Is Community College Easy?
Community college is still college. If you’re coming to college right out of high school, you’ll have to study, manage your time, and participate in class. If you’re learning new skills, it’s important to get help from your professors and instructors. The good news is that community college has resources such as our ACCelerators that can provide extra help. As a result, with these resources and smaller classes, odds are you’ll get extra instruction.
Is Community College Affordable?
College is expense, but you can save up to 70% on college costs by going to a community college. Financial aid, grants, and scholarships help defray costs. If you have to take out student loans, talk to an advisor and look at the earning potential of your program to make sure that student debt makes sense.
How Do I Choose a Major?
It’s okay not to know what you want to major in! Advisors can help narrow down options. Exploring areas of study and researching programs and certificates are sure to inspire your choices.
You can start out with general core classes that will transfer to a four-year college, giving you some time to make a decision.
How Do I Transfer Credits?
ACC is set up for students to get their associate degree and then transfer to a four-year school. If that’s your goal, you and your advisor will design a degree map so that you take courses that transfer. It’s important to work with an advisor when planning each semester to make sure you maximize your transferable credits. Don’t get sidetracked. And remember, short semesters and summer classes can help you stay on track and even graduate early, so you can move forward with your next step.
Ready to get started? Take a look around, see what sparks interest, and request information for more details.
OK, I’m Ready to Apply to ACC: Now What?
Ready to be a Riverbat?
Everything you need can be found on the New Student Application page. Advisors can help you every step of the way. But here are some additional notes, just to help out.
- Application. ACC uses an open application process. There’s no fee, and everyone who applies is accepted. Acceptance to ACC does not mean acceptance to every program.
- Transcripts. Contact your high school or previous college for your transcripts, which they will send directly to ACC.
- TSI Assessment. The Texas Success Initiative is required of most students; find out if you’re exempt.
- Registration. Once you have met all your requirements, you can register and pay for classes. Your advisor can help you pick the classes you need for your program.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid. As soon as you have your ACC EID and ACC e-mail, you can apply for scholarships. Scholarships can help defray the cost of college, lowering your student loan debt and making it easier for you to focus on your studies.
Ready to go? Hit apply and join ACC.
Start Your Journey at Austin Community College
Why go to community college? It is the foundation for your academic or career journey. At ACC, our goal is to help you meet yours. From application to graduation, we’re here to help every step of the way. Whether you’re going on to get a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree, or you are looking at a new career, your path begins at ACC. Explore programs, get more information from our advisors, or apply today. Welcome to ACC. We’re so glad to meet you.
Tags: associate degree, Austin Community College, stackable certificates, veterans and community college, why go to community college
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