For many, community colleges (also known as "junior" or "two-year" colleges) are bridges from high school to college, offering courses for transfer toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year school.

Students have different reasons for attending a community college: They often cite low tuition, convenient locations, flexible class schedules, open admissions policies, and comprehensive course offerings.

What community colleges can offer

• Entry-level career training to prepare students for the job market.
• Job re-entry or career-advancement courses for adult students wanting to upgrade their skills.
• Advanced placement classes for ambitious high school students that count for credits toward their college degrees.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults with varying levels of education in their native countries who need English-language instruction.
• Courses not offered by local four-year colleges.
• Distance learning programs for students wishing to learn at home to accommodate to their schedules.

Community colleges offer the ability to continue education at any point in your life, close to home, and at an affordable price.

Considering community college?

• Benefits
• Admission requirements
• Choosing a community college
• How to transfer to a four-year school
• Ways to pay for your education