Want to know a secret? More than 47 percent of college students in the United States, and 52 percent of all undergraduates in the South Carolina higher education system, attend two-year technical or community colleges. These schools are becoming increasingly popular for students with a wide range of goals.
Okay, so maybe that’s not exactly a secret. But you might be surprised to learn just how many advantages two-year colleges have to offer to prospective students. Here’s a look at some of the “best-kept secrets” of America’s dynamic two-year schools.
Top-Notch Instructors
Technical and community colleges may be less expensive than four-year schools, but that doesn’t mean students are settling for a second-rate educational experience.
People who are concerned about skyrocketing costs at four-year institutions may mistakenly view the lower cost of going to their local community or technical college as the main advantage. What often pleasantly surprises them after they enroll is the quality education they receive. Community and technical colleges hire top-notch instructors who devote most of their time to teaching and to helping students achieve their goals.
In fact, most community and technical college faculty members have excellent credentials. Many also often have real-life experiences in the fields in which they teach, special certifications or both. Two-year college faculty tend to regard themselves as professional teachers rather than academic researchers. They thrive on direct contact with students and focus their energies on the classroom experience.
Small Classes
Two-year colleges come in all sizes, from small rural schools to large urban colleges on par with huge universities. But one thing they have in common is that most of them are committed to limiting the size of their classes.
What does that mean for you? For one thing, you’ll never be “just a number” in a huge lecture hall, taking a class taught by a graduate student. Small classes in community and technical colleges mean a lower instructor-to-student ratio. The smaller classes help students get more involved, and student involvement is shown to be an important factor in overall success. Another plus is two-year colleges provide solid preparation for succeeding at the next level. With smaller classes taught by highly qualified instructors, students can meet general education requirements while strengthening skills in key areas such as writing and math. A real advantage is that students can proceed at their own pace.
Flexibility
Perhaps the greatest strength of a two-year college is flexibility. Need to arrange your classes around your work schedule or family obligations? Many of York Technical College’s academic programs offer classes both during the day and in the evening. In addition to the main campus in Rock Hill, York Tech has off-campus centers in Chester, Indian Land and Kershaw so you can take classes close to where you work or live. If you need even more flexibility or prefer an online experience, check out our growing selection of online course offerings.
University Transfer Programs
Technical and community colleges can be a great place to start if earning a four-year degree is your goal.
York Technical College offers an outstanding university transfer program where students can complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, conveniently and affordably. Students in the University Transfer program earn an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree and are prepared for a smooth transition to a four-year school. The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has established a list of technical college courses which are universally accepted by South Carolina’s state-supported colleges and universities. York Technical College’s experienced transfer advisors work closely with students to maximize transfer credits.
Many York Tech students enroll with a specific transfer school in mind. To support these students, the College has formal “bridge program” agreements with USC, Columbia College, Lander University and Winthrop University. Bridge program participants generally may transfer after completing what amounts to a full freshman year of college-level coursework and attaining the GPA required by the academic program at the college to which they are transferring.
While many York Tech students complete two years of study before transferring to a four-year college, that’s not the only option. Some students move on after only a year. Others earn associate degrees, enter the workforce and then pursue bachelor’s degrees on a part-time basis. Since many employers will pay for their employees to take college classes, the part-time option can be especially cost-effective.
Spread the Word
To sum it up, York Technical College’s tuition and fees are—by far—the lowest in the region. So, if your goal is a bachelor’s degree but you don’t want to break the bank to get it, attending York Tech for the first two years makes sense.
Two-year colleges really are a tremendous value that people sometimes overlook because they don’t know about these advantages. Whatever the goal, a college like York Tech is a great place to learn more and do more!