community college

Local associate-degree institution

A community college is a two-year institution offering associate degrees and vocational training, typically at lower cost than four-year universities.

Students often attend to complete general education requirements before transferring, or to gain practical skills for immediate employment: She got her nursing degree at the community college.

The name reflects their mission to serve local communities with accessible education.

gateway

opportunity

Favorable circumstance for advancement

accessRight to enter
pathwayDesignated route for travel
first-generationEarliest iteration of something

second chance · career change · fresh start · stepping stone · remedial courses · placement test · academic support · tutoring · counseling · mentorship

affordable

tuition

Payment for instruction

financial aidFunding for education expenses
scholarshipsFunds awarded for study
grantsAwarded funds for purposes

work-study · federal aid · public funding · low-cost · economical · budget-friendly · cost-effective · subsidized · fee waiver · payment plans

local

commuter

One who travels regularly

neighborhoodResidential area nearby
regionalRelating to an area
satellite campusRemote extension of a college

district · county · residents · proximity · evening classes · weekend classes · flexible scheduling · part-time students · continuing education · GED programs

transfer

associate degree

Two-year undergraduate qualification

two-yearSpanning twenty-four months
creditsUnits toward graduation
general educationMandatory broad academic requirements

prerequisites · core curriculum · undergraduate · GPA · transcript · transfer credits

vocational

certification

Attestation of qualification

technical trainingInstruction in applied skills
tradesMutual swaps or crafts
apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment

welding · plumbing · electrician · HVAC · carpentry · cosmetology · culinary · automotive · machinist · nursing assistant

Categories

collegecampus, courses, application, dorms, dorm room
adult educationadult education, adult learning, GED prep, adult classes, adult education center
Alternative Learningvocational school, trade school, technical school, homeschool, online course
public educationpublic school, public schools, state school, public university, state university
College Policytuition caps, federal funding, state funding, financial aid, student aid
Education Policyeducation policy, education reform, education laws, education funding, education budget

Opposites

institutional prestige and selectivity

community collegeHarvard

Prestigious Cambridge university

Yale · Stanford · Oxford · Cambridge · Princeton

degree level and duration

community collegefour-year college

Degree-granting higher institution

graduate school · university · research institution · doctoral program · liberal arts college

accessibility and mission

community collegeprivate university

Self-funded higher learning institution

finishing school · boarding school · preparatory school

Family

community, college, communicate, communication, commune, communal, colleges, communities, collegiate

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Mostly American · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G