Can someone tell me the difference between a 2-year college and a 4-year type college?
Mar.31, 2010 in
College Selection
I’m trying to choose colleges to apply to..and some of them are 2-year typed college and some are 4-years…what’s the difference? and which one is the better choice?
March 31st, 2010 at 5:19 pm
yes I can.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:28 pm
A two-year college will give you an Associate’s Degree at completion. You can transfer that to most four-year colleges & complete your four-year degree in only two more years after that. A four-year college gives you a Bachelor’s degree at completion. It depends on your field. An Associate’s Degree might be fine for a job as a paralegal or medical assistant or something like that. A four-year degree is preferable, but a two-year college is less expensive. Again, you can always transfer from a two-year college to a four-year college and save yourself a bit on tuition. Many four-year colleges offer transfer scholarships for students coming from two-year colleges.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:01 pm
You can get an Associate’s Degree @ 2-year college, but to get a Bachelor’s (minimum degree required for many professional careers) you must either transfer from the 2-year school to a 4-year school, or attend a 4-year university.
Most 2-year schools are what are known as community colleges (some people call them junior colleges). The tuition is cheaper, and many students live in the local area and commute to school rather than living on campus. Many of these schools also offer training in skills and trades.
4-year universities may require a higher GPA for acceptance as a freshman. The tuition is higher, the campus is most likely much bigger, with more on-campus housing and activities such as sports, organizations, etc. The education and experience level of the professors may also be greater than that of 2-year colleges (but not necessarily.)
It depends on what career you want, how good your grades are, how much you can afford for tuition, whether you prefer a residential or commuter school, and where you get accepted. A high school guidance counselor familiar with the student’s profile, goals, and available choices in the state/region would probably be able to better assist with specific recommendations.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Depends on what degree you want. A two-year school can only grant an Associates degree, while a Bachelor’s Degree (either BA or BS) can come from a 4-year school. Many two-year schools are used as a stepping stone to finish the last two years at a 4-year college, either for economic reasons (usually much cheaper) or for admission reasons (grades are too low, SAT/ACT scores are too low, etc.).
If you plan to go to a 2-year school with the intent of later finishing your education at a 4-year school, make sure that the classes you take will transfer to the 4-year school of your choice, otherwise you’ll end up paying to take the same class twice.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Two years college are offer at community college (cost less), when graduate, you only get an Associate Degree, harder to find a job, don’t get pay much.
Four years college are offer at University (cost more), when graduate you’ll get a Bachelor Degree, becoming an Engineer or something like that. Easier to find a job and earn more money, too. Good luck.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:54 pm
2 years??
March 31st, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Speaking from experience here
The two year colleges are just that, 2 years. Once you graduate, you will get an associates degree. A lot of people go to a two year college first if their grades were not that good in high school, or they are strapped for money. Two year colleges are a lot less expensive and most anyone can get into one. It’s always better to get the 4 year degree (bachelors). In the long run, it will look better, and you will be able to get a better job. My advice is this: If you are strapped for money, still plan on living at home, or didnt do so great in high school, go to the two yr school first. Most have transfer programs so, you will getting your major requirements for a Bachelors degree out of the way, with the fraction of the cost, and it can boost your GPA. Now, if none of that applies to you, go with the 4 yr college. For me, I did the 2 yr college route because paying $79.00 per credit hour was a heck of a lot more reasonable for me than paying $350.00 per credit hour (those are the costs where I live). I am now done with my 2 yr degree and I am almost done with my 4 yr degree. Either way you decide to do this, definitely stick it out and get your bachelors!! Good luck and I hope this has helped you!
March 31st, 2010 at 9:16 pm
2 year is a junior college and is usually cheaper and easier to get in. It’s where people go to take their prerequisites, then transfer to a 4 year.