Final answer:
Community college is seen as an excellent choice for students due to its affordability, practicality in course selection, and the lower opportunity cost for those who are unemployed. Additionally, state-funded programs can cover tuition costs, and resources like OER help to mitigate educational expenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Community college is a great choice for students for several persuasive reasons. Most notably, students who are traditionally college-aged, meaning 24 or under, make up 59% of the student body. This suggests that community college is a fitting option for those right out of high school. Moreover, these students benefit from living off-campus, which makes the transition to higher education more affordable as most do not have to relocate.
When considering majors, community college students can select from a diverse array of options, many of which focus on fields offering immediate employment opportunities upon graduation. This practical approach to education aligns well with the economic mindset of students seeking to quickly earn back their educational investment.
For those who are unemployed or underemployed, especially during a recession, the opportunity cost of attending college is lower since they are not sacrificing work hours or income. This makes the decision to invest in education a tactically sound choice. State-funded community college programs even alleviate financial burden by covering part or all of the tuition for eligible students.
In California, which hosts the largest higher education system with 1.8 million students across 116 colleges, community colleges serve as a significant stepping stone. A noteworthy 29% of University of California and 51% of California State University graduates began their education journey at a community college. Moreover, 47% of students do not pay any fees to attend college, largely due to the support they receive from Open Educational Resources (OER), which provide educational materials at no cost.