Online Community College

Many people think that the distinctive feature of online community colleges is that they offer two-year degrees, but they differ from four-year colleges in many other ways as well.

In fact, online community college meets the needs of many students that are not as well served by four-year institutions. That is why they have grown so much in recent history.

Because of their modest cost, online community colleges attract both large numbers of adults and first generation college students of traditional age. At most online community colleges, the average age of enrolled students range between 23 to 27 years old. And, generally, online community colleges enroll a significantly higher percentage of minority students than do four-year colleges.

But, it is not just cost that makes online community college attractive to students. Online community college tends to practice open admissions, meaning that they welcome all students who have completed high school or earned an equivalency degree. Therefore, applicants need not present standardized test scores, recommendations, or essays. Applying for admission to a community college is a very simple process.

And, online community colleges rarely have an application deadline. In most instances, students can apply and be admitted the same week a semester begins.

Not all students, however, are admitted to all programs. Students interested in medically related careers, for instance, may have as a pre-requisite to have completed a course in biology or chemistry. Similarly, some majors may be open only to students who have successfully completed high school algebra.

While traditional four year colleges frequently offer courses in the evening and/or on Saturdays, an online community college are far more likely to offer enough such courses for an adult to complete an entire degree program.

Another value of an online community college is its ability to offer vocationally related courses or programs for students who seek training but may not wish to complete a degree program. In fact, although many people think of online community colleges as the first stop on a journey to earn a bachelors degree, only about 25% of online community college students subsequently enroll in a four-year college or university.

In general, online community colleges are likely to be a good choice for students who are not confident about their academic skills, students whose schedules do not allow them to enroll in day classes, and students whose educational goals do not include a bachelors degree. Others, as well, may find that an online community college meets their needs; for many students, it's an inexpensive option worth thinking about.