There are a lot of stigmas around community colleges and its attendees. The majority of them are rooted in classism, elitism, and overall ignorance. Picture this, it’s college fair day at your high school and you’re seeing all the big name schools sitting at their tables distributing information to interested students. There are universities that are hundreds of miles away from you. Then there’s institutions that cost over $100,000 to attend. 

Admittedly, you’re feeling a bit out of place and immensely discouraged. From the lack of representation of community colleges at college fairs, to not being brought up as a possible option by guidance counselors, people just aren’t as encouraged to go. 

There are so many reasons why community college ends up being the best option for you. 

Maybe your test scores don’t qualify you for some of these big universities. Your financial aid won’t cover what the yearly tuition is – These are enough reasons to turn you away from these particular institutions. If you’re looking for other choices- something that’s close and more affordable, you don’t find any of those schools represented at the fair. You’re lost in your college journey, and ultimately lean towards not going to school until you can reach the societal standards that are set in order to go.

Something else that grinds my gears are the condescending “pep talks” that people give future community college goers. They say  “there’s nothing wrong with attending community colleges, it’s your own journey – it’s still school.” Just to turn around and make comments about how they would never attend one themselves. There are many aspects that have deeply helped to enable this narrative, but this article is here to debunk those stigmas, and lay down some truths about the reality of attending a community college.

Let’s speak facts. 

Community colleges are very helpful for those who are trying to achieve their education on a budget. People equate high prices with better education, and that’s just simply not true. Malcolm X Community College is located in Chicago and has one of the best nursing programs in the state. It’s ranked high nationally amongst other programs. It has received a grade B report, and has a NCLEX-RN passing rate average of 89.70%. The in-state tuition for MXCC is under $13,000, and that’s before financial aid is applied. Once it is, it drops down to nearly $4,000. When you compare these numbers to bigger named institutions that charge tuition of $50,000 a year, the choice seems clear. More expensive institutions don’t even give enough aid for the total tuition to be decreased at the same rate.

With lower tuition, you spend less time worrying about how you’ll pay everything back. You spend more time focusing on your studies. I’ve heard stories from teachers who have been some of the few advocates of community colleges in my life. They talk about how they made the right decision by going to a community college because it helped them to avoid the common debt horror stories most adults sadly have to face once they leave school. 

Not all community colleges exist just as two year programs.

While that is a main attraction that pulls people into attending them, many community colleges offer four year programs where you can receive your bachelor’s degree. Many people view community colleges as the first step before you actually attend a “real college.” They completely dismiss the act of enrolling into school in the first place. A large majority of community colleges offer you a lot more flexibility when it comes to pursuing your degree. There’s more options for classes. It helps while you manage a work schedule. It makes it possible for you to finish at the rate that you need to.

A great deal of community colleges offer programs that help get you ready to already have a job in the career field you desire by the time you’re out of school. The community colleges located in Chicago offer a free program called Future Ready. It sets you up with certification for a myriad of job positions. So many people fear going years before finally landing a job in their field of study. But community colleges help you to achieve that at a quicker rate!

Community colleges are accepting of all.

It doesn’t matter where you are at academically! The campuses here in Chicago offer a free program that will help you get your high school equivalency, provide tutoring, and more to ensure your college enrollment. For most schools, while you’re working to achieve your high school equivalency, you’re even allowed to take college credit classes to get a jump start on your education. 

It’s difficult combating societal stigmas.

It has been generational working to implement the notion that community colleges are less than. But it’s important to highlight that it doesn’t mean the responsibility isn’t now on us to combat the stereotypes that get placed on these schools and its students. Before you make a comment about a community college or someone attending them, do some research. Consider the feelings of your friends who might be attending one in the upcoming school semester. And most importantly, remember that university or not, we’re all on the journey of furthering our education and obtaining that degree.

Alycia Kamil is a freedom fighter and believer of the people. She is a Freshman at Wilbur Wright College. Follow her writings, interests and more here.