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Renae Sweet

Mrs. Layton

English 1010

25, January 2019

Community Colleges vs. Universities

Topic Introduction

A large question that is asked or at some point thought about in regards to a higher

education is, ‘which is better community colleges or universities?’ This question brings many

different ideas and concepts into higher education and the decisions that come with that stage in

life. This question also comes up in many different ways, it doesn’t have to be that one is better

than the other. It could also be looked at that they are equal, not one is better than the other. This

question also depends on a student’s opportunities.

To begin, I am a senior in high school. Meaning I am planning on going to college this

coming fall. Because of this point in my life I hear a lot of things about higher education, and it

seems to me, many of them are stereotypes about community colleges and universities. I have

my own conceptions about them both as well. Such as community colleges are not challenging

and are cheap, and have not as good teachers. Universities provide more challenges, are more

expensive, have a better teaching staff, and only wealthy people go to them.

Alan Salzman, author of “How Good are Community colleges”, discusses different aspects of

community colleges. He brings up the fact that community colleges are an extension of high

school based off of what President William Harper of the University of Chicago states,

“...variations of Harper's junior college were really extensions of the high schools and closely
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modeled on them.” Salzman also mentions that community colleges are what a lot of students

who don’t have a lot of money and options for higher education, look at as their only option,

after high school.

In Sarah Shurts article, “Transfering Gap”, she states that “while students might succeed in

community college classes, they will not be fully prepared for what is expected of them when

they transfer to four-year schools.” This shows that community colleges have a higher chance of

being below the educational quality that universities have. She later goes on to discuss that

many times when students transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges there is a gap

created. The students transferring are not on the same page as the university students.

In regards for Universities they cost more, and most of the time are harder to get into.

This creates a different environment for students and teachers. Salzman discusses that every

institution is different. There are different staff members, different expectations. Teachers will

most likely be better, and higher quality when in the university education area. Within saying all

of that, he also makes a large point that community colleges are better than nothing. Higher

education all together is better than just a high school education.

A subtopic to the discussion of the transferring gap, is the quality of teachers. Salzman

brings to light the fact that there seems to be more of a connection between students and teachers

in universities. Where as community colleges there is the opposite. Salzman states that “in the

community colleges, when an overwhelming percentage of the student body is classified as

“remedial,” there is indirect pressure put on the teachers to go easy on everyone.” He brings to

light the point that shows the challenges universities have compared to the challenges

community colleges have.

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Through discussing the question ‘are community colleges better or worse the

universities’, provides many subtopic questions that have a broad spectrum of answers. Over all

any form of higher education is better than none. There are more questions to be asked, and paths

to go down in order to come to a conclusion based off research, deciding whether a student is

better off in a university or community college.

Major Debates and Commentary

There can be quite a few sides taken in this debate, again based off of a student’s

opportunities, the sides vary. One largely known argument made regarding universities and

community colleges is their prices. The prices of both of these higher education’s can be vastly

different. Why would they be very different if they both are forms of higher education?

Two ideas answer the question posed above. The first being from Allen Salzman, this

idea has already been shared so far in this discussion. He states in his article, “How Good Are

Community Colleges”, that the standards universities have are too high for less fortunate

students. Students that come from a poor background cannot necessarily pay the tuition

universities ask for, along with making the requirements they hold. Teachers of community

colleges want to keep their doors open. Allowing anyone to walk through and get an education.

Having the cost of community colleges where they are at now allows students with very little

opportunities to expand their knowledge in higher education.

Another idea Salzman brings to the table, that correlates with this question is that

community colleges are very similar to high school. That they are just an extension to it, and in

some cases that is the community college's main purpose, to be a second high school. This
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lowers standards for the colleges. Whereas universities are not necessarily like high school, they

teach different, material, high grade level things, and in the end hold higher standards for their

students. This does not mean that poor, or low income students aren’t able to partake in the

learning of university material, or that they can’t comprehend it. Many students can, yet the

tuition and other cost lower their chances of making the standards for universities. Leaving them

the option of community colleges.

In addition a modern discussion surfaced about the purpose of higher education. Is going

to a community college or a university worth the cost, time, and effort. Sir Ken Robinson, a

British author discusses in a Ted Talk about “Changing Education Paradigms”. Robinson starts

his discussion by bringing up the point that students don’t see the point of going to school

anymore. He also shares that when he and his peers were told a story that kept them in school.

“If you worked hard, and did well, and got a college degree, you would have a job.” Robinson

says that my generation no longer believes that. And he believes they are right to not believe that

story anymore. If you complete all these steps and get a college degree, you aren’t guaranteed a

job anymore. He still stands by the fact that having a college degree and getting higher education

is very good, but people no longer need that qualification to get a job.

Liz Addison states, in her article, “Two Years Are Better Than Four”, that the philosophy

of community colleges “unconditionally allows its students to begin.” She believes that

community colleges are the best place to begin a journey. A place to find yourself and what you

as a student want to do in and throughout your life.

Addison used something that Thomas Jefferson wrote to make her point. “Everybody should

have an education proportional to their life.” As Addison expanded on this idea she used her own
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experience to help. “In my case, my life became proportional to my education. But, in doing so,

it had the good fortune to land me in an American community college…”. She worked hard and

her school was a priority, for others it may not be as much of a priority as Addison made it, but

Jefferson’s quote shares that fact that everyone has a different life and education vary based off

of that. Though she uses Jefferson’s words to make a point she goes on asking the question how

could college not be necessary if someone “enter on empty and leave with a head full of

dreams?”

All of these questions that lead to discussions, are necessary in making education better,

and not just that, they all help students make choices, and take chances. Along with that the

articles mentioned bring up a common theme of a students paths and opportunities. Over all

higher education does have a purpose even though in this economy and environment of 2019 and

beyond, jobs aren’t guaranteed based off of a college degree,but it helps to have one. Growing

knowledge won’t ever be a hindrance to someone. Not expanding surface knowledge will.

Areas for Further Inquiry

A question that I pose is which is side is better all together? Though there may be

challenges at one or the other for students, is one always going to be the best choice? Though

sources such as Salzman, Addison, and Shurts, discuss in their work that they both have good

qualities for certain students, they did not cover the idea that a university will always be the

better choice for every student. Or that community colleges will always be a better choice for a

students. Even if that question can’t be answered and both of the options are equal, the question

still remains.
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Along with that, in this century's economy is better to get an undergraduate degree from a

community college or a graduate degree from a university? Which degree will get you further in

life based off of how our world works today. A lot of people in my generation have the opinion

that higher education is too expensive, and don’t believe going to school is worth it. Even school

before their higher education, such high school.

To close, higher education is important to student growth and finding their interest.

Though the costs for both are vastly different there are advantages to having a higher education.

Most people that have had a higher education say that their experience has helped them in the

future. Ultimately, the students opportunities and ability has a large fact in what is the better

choice for them.

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Works Cited

Addison, Liz. “Two Year Are Better Than Four.” ​Actively Learn​, New York Times,

read.activelylearn.com/#student/reader/218423/notes.

Salzman, Allen. “Actively Learn.” ​Actively Learn,​

read.activelylearn.com/#student/reader/research/557962/notes. "How Good are

Community Colleges?"

Shurts, Sarah. “Actively Learn.” ​Actively Learn,​

read.activelylearn.com/#student/reader/research/558081/notes. History in Harmony: The

AHA “Tuning” Project in the Community College and the Closing of the Transfer Gap

Robinson, Ken. “Changing Education Paradigms.” ​Ted​, Ted,

www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.