Wary of student loans, cost-conscious high school graduates are starting at community colleges, reports the Beacon News, a Chicago Sun Times publication. Those who go directly to four-year colleges and universities are more focused on earning a marketable degree.
Ashley Chapen, 18, a recent Sandwich High School graduate, wanted to attend Eastern Illinois University, a few hours away from her small town. Instead, she’ll start her quest for a four-year degree at Waubonsee Community College.
“I thought about it, and with the money and everything, it wasn’t worth it,” she said. “This way, I don’t have to take out student loans. I can pay for my education myself and I can still keep my job.”
Working at Target, attending classes at Waubonsee’s new Plano campus as a potential business major, and living at home is more feasible, Chapen decided.
At Northern Illinois University, tuition, room and board alone was $17,500 for the 2009-10 school year. Last year that number jumped to about $19,200. That’s too much for many families.
In May, Waubonsee graduated the largest class in the school’s history. That’s an achievement, not just because it means more students are enrolling but because, even if they plan to move on to a four-year school, they’re leaving Waubonsee with a two-year degree — a boon in an uncertain economy.
“That’s really the biggest trend as a college. And nationally, community colleges have put a bigger emphasis on earning your degree, not just transferring on without taking your associates,” said Waubonsee spokesperson Jeff Noblitt.
Nearby Elgin Community College also graduated its largest class last month. Some are college-aged students earning associate degrees, but the college also has seen a big upswing in adult students earning certificates in career tech programs, integrated systems, computer-aided drafting and computer science.
At North Central College, a four-year school, the number of “undecided” majors for new students has dropped from 20 percent to 13 percent. “Students are putting a little more thought into what they want to pursue before making a decision on what school they want to consider,” said Martin Sauer, dean of admission and financial aid. Business majors are down, while sciences majors are up, especially in biology and physics.
Comments & Trackbacks (1) | Post a Comment
at 6:46 am
[...] Frugal students are choosing to start at community colleges. But that poses challenges. [...]