Deciding on where to go to college is a tough choice but what makes the choice even harder sometimes is the decision between a community college and a university.  While they both have their ups and downs, there’s no reason to attend both in your college career.  In fact, some counselors will guide you down that path, just so that you can save money in the long run.

If you’re curious on what the differences between a community college and university are, I’ve created a list for you to study the positive sides and the negative sides.  Remember, an education is important and a college sometimes is a deciding factor for an employer when they are looking to hire someone in.  Someone with a degree from the University of Michigan is more likely to get in compared to someone going to an unknown online university.

Let’s start with a community college first and explore what goes on at a community college that generally doesn’t happen at a university –

• A community college is more affordable.  Compare the rates to your local universities and community colleges.  You’ll find a big differences in prices.  The cool thing is though that most community colleges will allow you to go for two years and you can transfer those credits to an accredited university.
• More flexible.  A community college is generally more flexible with your schedule but this isn’t always the case.  Most of the times you’ll be able to get into classes that fix your outside schedule.  A community college is great for those who work a lot of hours.
• Only issues AA degrees.  Community college will only issue associates degrees.  If you’re looking to get your Bachelor’s, it always helps to get your associates at the community college to save money and proceed to transfer your credits to the major university.  Make sure that your credits can transfer ahead of time, if that’s going to be your goal.
• Smaller classes.  This is based on my own experience.  Community colleges will usually have a smaller class from anywhere from 20-40 students while a university has lecture hall rooms filled.  At a community college, this provides a more one on one atmosphere, where you can actually get your answers answered by the professor.

Now that we’ve looked at the perks of a community college, let’s set our focus on a university –

• More than associates degrees.  If you’re looking to get more than your associates and you want to stick with one game plan, a university is a great place to start.  This way you’re able to follow a game plan and you know all your credits will count toward your degree.
• Stay on campus.  If you want to focus on school and nothing else, a university will provide you with a dorm room that is technically shared with roommates.  If you stay on campus, you’ll be more likely to focus on your schoolwork rather than leaving community college and going back to your everyday lifestyle.
• Younger audience.  At a community college, you’re going to find people of all ages.  From senior citizens to teens fresh out of high school, a university is generally strict on who they left in.  You’re going to find a lot more people in the 18-25 range.  This helps with social activities if that’s one of the concerns you have with school.
• Commute time.  This one will vary for most but your community college will usually be in your county and the university you want to attend will most likely be further away for you.  This will hurt you at the gas pump if you plan on driving to the university itself.

In the long run, it’s really up to you on what you want to do.  If you want to save money, go the community college route and transfer down the road.  If you just want to stay in one place the whole time, take the university route.  I hope this helps you in your decision when you’re debating between a community college and university.

Transferring to a new college crosses a lot of college student minds.  There are many reasons why students want to do this.  From being closer to home to just not being satisfied with the schools academics, the list goes on and on.  Most students have the misconception that transferring to a new college is a bad thing but it can actually help you in the long haul.  Here’s why you should transfer to a new college:

Two year to a four year- One of the main reason’s college students transfer is because they are leaving a two year school and want to attend a four year school.  Most of the time college students have this in their long term game plan but some students don’t.  If you’re attending a two year college, you may want to look into transferring to a four year.

Switching your major - Some colleges offer particular majors but if you find that you want to change your major, you’re probably not alone.  When you change your major, you may realize that your school isn’t offering that particular major.  When this happens, you’re not going to have any choice but to transfer.  When you’re ready to look for a new college that offers your major, you’re going to have to start all over in your research, so make sure you take your time to find your new school.

Being unhappy- The first year you start going to college, you’ll probably feel uneasy with the school.  From not making friends to the new surroundings, it’s not hard to become depressed.  Most students want to just give up and move back but I strongly encourage this.  As the weeks go on, students tend to adapt.  If you find yourself still hating the school after one year, you should look into transferring to another school to accommodate your needs.

Moving back home- Another main reason that students transfer is that they find that being away from home sucks.  Some students can’t live without their mom or dad and when they are thousands of miles away from home, it’s are hard to adapt.  Most students when they think of living away from home, they think it’s the coolest thing ever but in the long run, they don’t realize how much they need their parents.

It’s too much- Let’s face it, college isn’t cheap but some schools are more money than others.  If you find yourself in a financial bind, you may want to look into going to a different school, since they all vary when it comes down to money.  You’ll be surprised on how much some schools differ from each other.  Make sure you do your research when looking for a cheaper school.

If you think you want to transfer schools, you’re not alone.  Just make sure that you think your decision through because this is a big decision.  Once you decide you want to transfer, make sure you do all of the appropriate research to find your new school.  When you find that new school, hopefully it’s everything you wanted!

Many people don’t go to college because of the word it’s expensive.  What people don’t know is that there is always help in affording college.  Between financial aid, scholarships and colleges with the cheapest tuition, there is help for you.  Don’t make the mistake of not going to college because you think it’s too expensive.  Check out the cheapest colleges for 2008 below:

1. University of Nevada - The university is known for its cheapest tuition from all the colleges in the United States.  The University of Nevada is located in Reno, Nevada, there tuition runs - 2,682 per year.
2. Florida State University - Florida State University is located in Tallahasse, Florida and runs an average of $2,890 per year.
3. San Diego State University - San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and runs an average of $2,936 per year.
4. University of Florida - The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and runs an average of $2,955 per year.
5. Florida Atlantic University - Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, Florida and runs an average of $3,092 per year.
6. Texas A&M University - Texas A&M University is located in Kingsville, Texas and runs an average of $3,109 per year.
7. Florida International University - Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and runs an average of $3,156 per year.
8. University of South Florida - The University of South Florida is located in Tampa, Florida and runs an average of $3,167 per year.
9. University of Central Florida - The University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and runs an average of $3,180 per year.
10. University of Nevada - The University of Nevada is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and runs an average of $3,210 per year.

There are many affordable colleges out there in the United States.  If you are looking for the cheapest colleges, these are the cheapest for 2008.  Don’t not go to school because of high tuition prices, instead find a school that is affordable to you!

Are you looking to attend college now or in the near future?  It seems like now a days we need a career to make a living anymore.  Without a career many suffer from low wages and jobs that don’t appeal to them.  In order to get a career we need to get the education and put in the time to go to college.  So what is stopping everyone from going to college?  There are many reasons, many people have children and don’t feel like they would have the time, many work more than 40 + per week and some feel they don’t have the money to start out and go to college.  College is made for every body, it’s as simple as that.  Everyone will find college expensive and there is no way of getting around it.  If you don’t want to go to an expensive college simply because it’s too expensive avoid going to these colleges below.  Everyone knows that college tuition can be extremely costly, but there are some colleges that made it to the top 10 for being the most expensive colleges in the year 2008.  Check out these most expensive college for 2008 below:

1. George Washington University ($37,820)
2. University of Richmond ($36,550)
3. Sarah Lawrence College ($36,088)
4. Kenyon College ($36,050)
5. Vassar College ($36,030)
6. Bucknell University ($36,002)
7. Bennington College ($35,250)
8. Columbia University ($35,166)
9. Wesleyan University ($35,144)
10. Trinity College ($35,130)

Above are the top 10 most expensive colleges for 2008.  These colleges are charging the amount of money in the parenthesis per year to their students.  Universities tend to be way over priced, compared to community colleges.  If you feel like you don’t have enough money to go to a university try attending a community college.  Community colleges can be as low as $2,000-$3,000 a year!  Like I said college can be affordable to everybody if you go to the right place!

Are you looking for a college that will give you the most for your money in the long run?  Certain colleges are known for their high salaries after graduating, the best paying jobs, and the best learning experience.  Take a look at the top getting rich the fastest colleges:

#1.) Dartmouth College - This college is number for getting rich the quickest.  Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $58,000.
10-20 years the median salary is $134,00.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $321,000!

#2.) Princeton University - Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $66,500.
10-20 years the median salary is $131,000.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $261,000!

#3.) Standford University - Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $70,400.
10-20 years the median salary is $129,000.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $257,000!

#4.) Yale University/Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $59,100/$72,000.
10-20 years the median salary is $126,000
While the top earners are receiving an average of $326,000!

#6.) Harvard University - Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $63,400.
10-20 years the median salary is $124,000.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $288,000!

#7.) University of Pennsylvania - Experts say if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $60,900
10-20 years the median salary is $120,000.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $282,000!

#8.) University of Notre Dame - Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $56,300.
10-20 years the median salary is $116,000.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $235,000!

#9.) Polytechnic University of New York, Brooklyn/Worcester Polytechnic Institute- Experts say that if you attend -
0-5 years the median salary is $62,400/$61,000.
10-20 years the median salary is $114,000.
While the top earners are receiving an average of $190,000/$180,000!

These colleges are known for the highest salary after graduating.  If you dream of getting rich in your future and are interested in the studies that these colleges have to offer, go for it!  Study hard, hope to get accepted and become one of these statistics!