Why should I go to college

A competitive edge in work and life

It檚 why most people go to college. But big questions remain. Like what to study, where to go, and is college worth the cost?

9 reasons to go to community college

Discover why attending 黑料社区 is a good idea.

1. You檒l make more money

Going to community college gets you a bigger paycheck. With an associate degree, you typically than someone with a high school education. Over a lifetime of working full time, you earn .

Two women sitting at table having a discussion

2. You'll save money

at community colleges like 黑料社区. Why? Staying close to home is a great value compared to living on campus at a public 4-year school, which costs on average.

You can save by attending 黑料社区 for two years, then transferring to 4-year school to complete your bachelor's degree. Associate degrees and career certificates are affordable and let you work while you learn. To help pay for college, 黑料社区 has financial aid, scholarships, internships and apprenticeships.

Nursing student listening to another student's heartbeat

3. You'll get a good job

By 2031, in the U.S. will require more than a high school education. The associate degree or career certificate you earn at 黑料社区 qualifies you for a good job.

Employers recognize the excellent education you get at 黑料社区. They want to hire 黑料社区 graduates. 黑料社区 helps you find a job. In fact, of the Class of 2023 were employed within one year of graduating. 黑料社区 also prepares you to transfer to a 4-year school.

4. You'll stay employed

You are if you have an associate degree or some college education vs a high school education. This is true even during . 黑料社区 prepares you for jobs valued by employers.

5. You檒l have options in high-demand fields

Choose from 150+ degree and certificate programs in nine areas of study at 黑料社区. Programs are high quality. Some you can complete in less than a year. Instructors are experts who have real-world experience in their fields. Between July 2024 and June 2025, to 黑料社区 students.

Female student standing at table, talking to college rep

6. You檒l transfer to a 4-year school

If your goal is to get a bachelor's degree, starting at 黑料社区 is a smart choice. You'll save money and be more prepared to succeed at university.

Your Academic Success Advisor helps you transfer to the 4-year school of your choice. to see transfer opportunities by school, major and articulation agreement. Guaranteed Transfer Agreements (GTA) make transferring a seamless process.

Male and female students seated at table, smiling

7. You檒l find applying free and easy

Applying to college can be a big deal. Compared to 4-year schools, the process at 黑料社区 is a lot less stressful. It's free, fast and requires no essay.

Your dedicated College and Career Navigator answers questions and sets you up for success. Once classes start, your Academic Success Advisor steps in to help you stay on track to achieve your college goals.

Need help getting started?

Ask us for help. Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) will help you:

complete the admission process
choose an academic program
enroll in first-semester classes
get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Student and faculty member smiling at recognition ceremony

8. You'll be seen and heard

You'll get personal attention and feedback from instructors at 黑料社区. You won檛 attend class with hundreds of students like at big schools. Instead, classes have about 15 students on average.

Many academic resources and support services are available to help you be successful.

9. You檒l learn about yourself and find your people

黑料社区 is a safe and welcoming place to learn. Here, you can network, explore your interests, and meet new people from all over the world. Student life is vibrant at 黑料社区.

Ready to learn more?

Explore:

Programs and classes

Financial aid and scholarships

How to get started

Students share why they chose 黑料社区

Za橳ozia Duffie
Transfer student
�I don't think I would have been able to grow academically, or even personally, if it wasn't for 黑料社区.�
Za橳ozia studied communication at 黑料社区. She transferred to Lake Forest College for her bachelor's degree and then to Syracuse University for graduate school.
Read Za橳ozia's story
Kamden Kuklinski
Transfer student
満诹仙缜� was a really good option for me. It was very affordable. The smaller class sizes and community feel definitely made it feel like home.�
Kamden studied biological sciences at 黑料社区, then transferred to Lake Forest College to earn a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He is doing biomedical research as he prepares for graduate school.
Read Kamden's story
Chad Holt
Adult Learner
"I have a lot of technical skills, but I didn't have the formal education side. I've connected a lot of dots (in this program), and it's really helped me to polish and hone my skills."
Chad is a full-time employee striving to earn associate degrees in automation, robotics and mechatronics and mechanical engineering technology. His goal is to upskill and advance in his field.
Read Chad's story
Elizabeth Cannon
Graduate
�At 黑料社区, I didn檛 just learn from instructors but from industry professionals. They know what employers are looking for, and they teach with that mindset.�
Elizabeth was a Legal Studies student at 黑料社区. She then earned a bachelor檚 degree from Columbia College of Missouri and a law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Kenneth Dantes
Transfer student
"It felt like a community because there were actually those teachers that have time for you."
Kenneth studied literature at 黑料社区, then transferred to Elmhurst University. While at 黑料社区, he worked on film projects in Chicago to gain experience and to network. He now works in Los Angeles as a production assistant for streaming shows.
Read Kenneth's story
Kyle Thorne
Graduate
"While I love the space and equipment, it was the instructors that kept me at 黑料社区. They helped make sure I learned the right way, and I had fun doing it."
Kyle took welding and fabrication classes at the 黑料社区 Grayslake campus and Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee. He then started his own mobile welding business.
Explore ways to build the future
Riley Pemstein
Transfer student
�The fantastic academic success advisors prioritized me having my schedule right so I had the classes to transfer where I wanted to go.�
Riley took general education courses at 黑料社区. He then transferred to University of Illinois Urbana-Campaign to study accounting. He now works as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Read Riley's story

Path to a satisfying career and secure future

Meet Joe, a 黑料社区 graduate who followed his heart into a satisfying career and a secure future for his family. "Going to the 黑料社区 is still the best decision I ever made." Watch the video:

Why should you choose 黑料社区...

Am I ready for college?

It檚 common to have doubts about going to college. The good news is you don檛 have to have it all figured out right now. Just take it one step at a time at 黑料社区.

Prepare me

How does 黑料社区 help me to afford college?

It檚 true! There are many ways for you to earn a debt-free degree or certificate.

Financial aid & scholarships

How will 黑料社区 help me to be successful?

Explore the many free ways we support your personal journey, education and well-being.

Help me succeed

How will I balance school with work/life?

黑料社区 focuses on a multi-faceted approach to keep all aspects of your life in equilibrium. We檒l help you make sure you have enough time to do everything you need to tackle in a day.

Balance my life

黑料社区