With the tumultuous economy
causing a strain on many
wallets, community college
enrollment rates across the
nation have increased dramatically
and caused people
to take a second look at
the benefits of a
community college
education.
According to
the U.S.
Department
of Education,
there was a 10
p e r c e n t
increase in
e n r o l l m e n t
between 2000
and 2006. Although
the 2007-08 figures
are not yet available,
many colleges
have been
p r e d i c t i n g
s i m i l a r
i n c r e a s e s
since last
fall.
Many Bucks
students admit that the
state of the economy was a
deciding factor when choosing
a college.
“Why would I spend money
elsewhere when I could go
here?” asked Rachel Morrell,
a 20-year-old nursing major.
The U.S. Department of
Education reported that average
annual community college
tuition and fees are less
than half of those at public
four-year colleges and universities
and one-tenth of
those at private four-year colleges
and universities.
“If the economy
wasn’t so bad I
might be at a
four-year school,”
said Nicole Guth, a
19-year-old psychology
major.
“I have to pay for this
myself,” said Nick
Hernandez, a 19-year-old
education major.
In the 2006-07 school
year, community
colleges in the U.S.
enrolled 6.2 million
students,
which was 35 percent
of all postsecondary
students
enrolled in an institution
of higher
learning that year,
according to the U.S.
Department of Education.
The American Association
of Community Colleges said
that percentage has risen to
46 percent as of January 2008.
“I came to Bucks to save
money and because it’s more
of a transition [between high
school and four-year college.]
Plus, everyone’s doing it,”
said Jacob Bachman, a 20-
year-old business major.
The American Association
of Community Colleges
states on its website,
“Globalization is driving
changes in our economy and
the need for an educated
workforce has never been
greater. Community colleges
often are the access point for
education in a town and a
real catalyst for economic
development.”
“I was at a four-year school,
but I came home because it
was too far-Bucks was the
only place I could get in right
away,” said Ashley Mitchell,
a 21-year-old education
major.
What are the advantages
that Bucks offers as a community
college?
The Bucks website says
things like “Earn your college
degree or certificate,”
“Discover which field of
study is right for you,” “Find
out how Bucks can help
jump-start your career,” or
“Learn something new for
pleasure.”
“I was supposed to go to
West Chester but I got in
trouble, so my parents
wouldn’t let me,” said 18-
year-old Mike McCann.
The Bucks mission “is to
provide to the county’s
diverse population of learners
accessible, affordable,
convenient and comprehensive
educational, training and
cultural opportunities that
will equip them to be competent
and effective in their
work and as citizens of the
world.”
Many Bucks students are
taking advantage of these
community college learning
opportunities.
“It’s a really nice place to
begin when you need to
decide on a major,” said
Matthew Chang, a 22-yearold
criminal justice major.
Bucks and other community
colleges across the nation
seem like attractive options
with the unstable economy.
Enrollment rates continue
to rise as people take a closer
look at their educational
options.