Seeking a degree is one of the most expensive venture a person will ever encounter(possibly more than buying a house!). Going to college, isn’t just attending classes, it is buying books, paying for rent, and working to live(unless you are a lucky one). So, sometimes we must choose to go to a community college prior to transferring to a four year university.
Note: Attending a community college is not a lower form of education, instead it is made more affordable for those who cannot attend a four year university to begin with.
The California education system makes it more affordable for students who want to pursue a degree, whether it be an Associates or a Bachelors by providing numerous community college campuses throughout the state. However, not all campuses and education programs are created equally, therefore, students should choose wisely, based on their educational goals and program desire. Read further to learn about the top five community colleges in California:
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Community College District (SDCCD)
San Diego, CA 92111
The SDCCD has three campuses, but they are treated independently and San Diego Mesa College is exceptionally better for students who are going on to transfer to a four year university. As a matter of fact, they have the highest transfer rate in the state of 22%(1). In addition to having an excellent resource center, they offer access to over forty different on-line databases for research. Students have the ability to access these resources from campus or on-line giving students with lives’ the same advantages as students who are regularly on campus.
Resources aren’t the only benefits to this school; science majors have an advantage over any other community college in the state. First, science majors can join the MESA group which will give them access to free printing, a private computer lab, and free tutoring for the upper division sciences. In addition, this is the best place for a chemistry course…this is the only community college west of the Mississippi that is accredited by the American Chemical Society(1).
Cuesta Community College
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
In the heart of the central coast, lies a laid-back and academic focused community college. Here is a college where you will find actors performing on the outdoor stage, agriculture students cultivating an organic vegetable garden, and engineers designing airplanes.
Cuesta gives the student the experience of college with the combination of a local town feel married with the college town vibe since the campus of CalPoly is right down the street. Students can gain practical experience with the numerous intern opportunities and make a smooth transfer to the neighboring four year university.
LA City College
Los Angeles, CA
Dreaming of acting the big stage or big screen? What better college to attend for the first two years of your education, than the LA City Community College. LA City boasts one of the most promising theater programs on the West Coast at the community college level.
The competition is stiff, but those who are dedicated to the art will find that an admissions letter to the program will boost them into the lights that their thespian heart desires.
LA City College helps students get in touch with employers, auditions, and other people working their way into Hollywood. Moreover, the campus provides multiple outlets for stage studying, as well as writing assistance for screenplay writer, as well.
American River College
Sacramento Community College District
Sacramento, CA
American River College beats out many of the nearby community colleges as the best campus to pursue a degree in engineering. The school offers a well established engineering program taught by professors who have had over thirty years in the industry prior to teaching the subject.
Moreover, the campus is in the heart of a great city where engineers can gain access to internships, employment, and resources to help them get into the four year college that they desire.
