what are the benefits of attending a 4-year college/university

• Breadth of Education. A significant advantage of a four-year school is the ability to offer tremendous breadth and depth of educational options.
• Broader College Experience. If you want the traditional college experience you see and hear about in movies, on TV and in the media, a four-year school is your best bet.
• Smoother Transition. Beginning your college journey at a four-year school will help you gain familiarity with the campus from the beginning.
• Extra Learning Opportunities. While select community colleges and programs do offer some extra learning opportunities, they often pale to what you can get at a four-year school.
• Independent Living. Whether your lifelong mission has been to get to college so you could live alone, or you leave home reluctantly, college life offers opportunities for personal development.

What degree do you earn after 4 years of college?

What degree do you earn after 4 years of college? A bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate degree. Historically, the term “college degree” meant a bachelor’s or traditional four-year degree. It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete your bachelor’s degree—encompassing 120 semester credits or around 40 college courses.

How much would tuition cost for 4 years in college?

The Heartland Community College board approved a 3.68% increase in tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year, raising the cost per credit hour to $$169. NORMAL — Tuition and fees are going up a combined $6 per credit hour for the 2021-22 academic year at Heartland Community College.

Are 4 years of financing enough to pay for college?

When you transfer from a community college to a more expensive four-year school, federal loans and grants may not be enough to cover the total cost of attendance. If you hit the maximum loan limit, you might need other financing help. One option to help fill the gap and complete your education is to take out a private student loan.

Do you pay 4 years of college tuition at once?

4-year: $10,320: $21,370: Public, out-of-state: 4-year: $26,290: $37,430: Private, nonprofit: 4-year: $35,830: $48,510

What are the pros of going to a 4 year college?

What are the benefits of attending a four-year college?You'll be educated in a wide variety of subjects through general education requirements. ... There are more majors for you to pick from. ... There are loads of extracurricular options. ... You'll get the traditional college experience.

What does 4 years of college get you?

Bachelor's DegreeBachelor's Degree Bachelor's degrees can be earned at four-year institutions and a small number of community colleges that have added baccalaureate programs in recent years. Schools offer Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and other specialty designations.

What are the benefits of attending a college university?

Benefits of Going to CollegeDiscover Your Interests. College tends to be a time full of discovery. ... Increased Job Opportunities. Many jobs require a college degree. ... Higher Potential Earnings. ... Lower Unemployment Rate. ... Job Satisfaction and Security. ... Improved Skills. ... Personal Development. ... Networking.More items...

Why is a 4 year degree important?

Having a bachelor's degree will keep you in demand as the need for skilled, college-educated workers continues to rise. Over 80 percent of jobs in four of the fastest-growing occupations—healthcare, STEM, education, and government services—demand postsecondary education.

Should I get a 4 year degree?

A 2015 survey found that one of the most important reasons students choose to pursue a four-year degree is for a high-paying job. Yet only 59% of those entering college will earn a bachelor's degree within six years, and many of them will graduate with a nice chunk of student debt.

What are the 10 benefits of a college degree?

10 Benefits of a College DegreeEarn more money, experience less unemployment. ... Raise your voice! ... Call the shots—be your own boss. ... Transform your family tree. ... Invest in and shape our democracy. ... Never stop evolving. ... Pay it forward. ... Bring your ideas to fruition.More items...•

Why is attending college important?

College is important for many reasons, including long-term financial gain, job stability, career satisfaction and success outside of the workplace. With more and more occupations requiring advanced education, a college degree can be critical to your success in today's workforce.

What do you hope to gain from college?

What Do You Hope to Gain by Going to College?Expanding Your Knowledge. A college education will expose you to a wide range of subjects areas and will help you build a well-rounded knowledge base. ... Money Matters. ... Getting a Job. ... The Overall Experience.

How much did a college cost in 2015?

The same year, a two-year college cost an average of $10,432. Four-year institutions then, may cost over twice as much annually and last for twice as long. That’s one massive bill for your education.

How many credits do you need to get a bachelor's degree?

Bachelor’s degrees are given to students who complete four years of study (120 credit hours). There is no prerequisite education, besides the completion of high school, required for students to enter a baccalaureate program. Students first complete two years of general education and elective coursework.

What are the different types of bachelors degrees?

What are the different types of bachelor’s degrees? 1 BS degree: Students who are major in the sciences, math, and engineering will earn BS degrees, provided they are offered by their institution. The curriculum is technical and students may have to take extra courses related to their majors. 2 BA degrees: BA degrees are granted to students studying English, foreign languages, history, and communication. However, BA degrees are not limited to liberal arts tracks, and students may obtain BA degrees in science or math fields as well. While many courses are directly related to their chosen majors, students also complete a wide range of courses and electives outside of their fields. 3 If you study a particular field, you might receive a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts), B.Ed (Bachelor of Education), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), or BSW (Bachelor of Social Work), among others. These degrees are less common, but they are just as valid in the workplace as any other type of bachelor’s degree.

How many applicants did Harvard accept in 2019?

These institutions, however, have low acceptance rates: Harvard accepted just 4.5% of over 43,000 applicants in 2019, and Yale University only accepted 6.8% of over 34,000 in 2017. The stakes are high when you choose to apply to an Ivy League school, and these institutions should always be considered reach schools.

What is a liberal arts college?

Liberal arts colleges are often small schools that offer only bachelor’s degrees. Since liberal arts enrollment is low and there are no graduate students, faculty teach all courses and have the chance to interact with and get to know individual students.

Is teaching a priority in liberal arts?

Teaching is more of a priority than faculty research at liberal arts colleges, though faculty are often encouraged to continue writing papers and books so as to stay on top of the newest research in their fields. Liberal arts colleges may offer a smaller selection of degrees than research universities.

Do bachelors degree programs have housing?

Many bachelor’s degree-granting schools are residential, meaning that students live on campus while studying for their degrees. Larger schools , however, may only offer on-campus housing to freshmen, leaving older students to find housing nearby.

A Sense of Community and Support Are a Recipe for Success

It’s important that students feel supported during their time on campus, and at many private Christian colleges, this is a high priority. The right balance of guidance, encouragement, and support can prove instrumental during transitional periods, when a sense of belonging or purpose is sometimes hard for students to come by.

Timely Graduation Pays Off in Every Way

Not only is graduating on time easier on your wallet, it provides you with a competitive advantage and more time to spend on your next chapter.

Unexpected Benefits

Private colleges have a wide variety of mission statements and affiliations, but private Christian colleges typically exhibit serious stewardship and commitment to students. This can be seen both in the classroom and in the way schools set their students up for a lifetime of success.

How do community colleges help?

Community colleges help you to stay closer to home. There are thousands of community colleges operating in the United States today. If you live in a community of 10,000 people or more, then there is an excellent chance that you can take classes within 20 minutes of your home.

What is the difference between a 2 year and 4 year college?

1. A 2-year college won’t provide you with a bachelor’s degree.#N# If you fulfill all of the obligations of a community college’s two-year program, then you can walk away from that experience with an associate’s degree. That can help you to get into some careers or apprenticeship programs, but it does not carry the same prestige as the bachelor’s degree that a 4-year university provides. If your goal is to get that undergraduate degree so that you can pursue a graduate or doctorate program, then you’ll need to enroll in a college or university by transferring your transcripts to them.

Why are 4 year universities different from other colleges?

Universities are different than colleges because of their size and potential availability of graduate programs. Some might have a medical or a law school that allows for the pursuit of a professional degree.

How many students are in a 2 year college?

That means 13 million students pursue their future careers by obtaining an education at one of these institutions each year.

How many years of college do you need to get an associates degree?

Most programs require at least two years, but less than four years of full-time college work. A 4-year university provides a larger institution for students to gain an accredited degree.

What happens after you put in a full year of classes?

After you put in a full year of classes, you come to the realization that the major you initially declared isn’t the direction that you want to take in life. Even though you can make this change, several of the classes that you took during the year won’t count for credit toward your new pursuit.

Is there more sports at 4 year colleges?

There are more sports teams available at four-year universities. Although you can play plenty of sports when you attend a two-year college, you’ll find that there is a larger variety of teams available when you attend the traditional 4-year university .

Tuition Costs Are Skyrocketing

Given the fact that we are still experiencing the aftershocks of the 2008 recession, it’s inevitable that many of these cons are related to money. I’ll try to address a few specific concerns within the broader category of college economics.

Loans and Debt are Crippling College Grads (and the Economy)

In 2010, the total amount of student debt overtook the total amount of credit card debt in America. As of 2013, there is $1.2 trillion in outstanding student loans – that’s over $3,700 for every man, woman, and child in America. As our nation recovers from the recession, we’ve actually managed to cut down our credit card and mortgage debt.

Not All 18-Year-Olds Are Ready for College

People mature at different ages and different rates. Some students are ready for college at 16 and 17 and go on to do very well. Some, however, are thrown out the door at 18 into a totally new world, and just aren’t ready for it.

You Often Make Great, Lasting Personal Relationships

What’s interesting in talking with people about the benefits of their college experience is that it’s often the intangibles that take center stage. Whereas with the negatives, you can point to stats and specific institutional problems, there’s just something about college that people really love.

College Can Expand Your Mind and Your Horizons

While as mentioned above, college won’t necessarily expand your mind, it certainly has ample potential to do so. I know college was definitely a time for me of expanding my horizons and learning to think on my own. While vague, that’s without a doubt one of the most important things college did for me.

A Degree Still Provides a Better ROI Than Just a High School Diploma

Although a college degree is not necessarily the investment it once was, or is promised to be, it still provides a better opportunity for employment and higher income than not having a degree.

A Degree is Required for Many Jobs (Even Relatively Menial Ones These Days)

There are a huge number of jobs in this country that require a college degree. More likely than not, it’s actually just what will get you in the door for an interview rather than getting you the job itself. Is that chance for an interview worth up to $100,000 in debt? It certainly could be, if the job is well-paying and a great fit for your goals.

What are the benefits of college education?

The good news is that the skills you need to master as a student translate to personal benefits of a college education as they help teach time management, budgeting, working with others and resourcefulness. 9. Improve Your Communication and Analytical Skills.

What is the unemployment rate for college graduates?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in April 2018, college graduates experienced a 2.1% unemployment rate, compared to 4.3% for high school graduates. The overall unemployment rate for adults able to work was averaging 3.6%, so it’s easy to see why having a college degree can help keep you shielded from being unemployed.

Why is college important for communication?

Besides the personal life skills gained, college coursework prepares you with better overall communication skills that are beneficial for the workplace. From oral communication and presentation skills to writing, working in a team and research, higher education teaches you to see the big picture and be able to analyze situations better so that you can be a problem-solver.

How long do people with a bachelor's degree live?

According to a recent CDC study, those who obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher tend to live about 9 years longer than those who don’t. This doesn’t mean that simply going to college makes you live longer, but it is correlated to lower smoking rates for college educated individuals and overall, the fact that more educated people tend to make better choices to positively affect one’s life span.

What is college good for?

College offers an opportunity to connect with people from all over the globe and different walks of life to make connections that could last a lifetime. Beyond just friendships, these connections could pay off when you enter the job market. Experts estimate that 70%-80% of jobs aren’t advertised publicly.

Why do I need a degree from an accredited university?

Having a degree from an accredited American University signals to companies around the world that you can speak English, stay committed, and can provide greater value to their organization. In most cases, holding a degree automatically places you above the job competition that doesn’t have a degree. 6.

Do you need electives to major in college?

Whether you know exactly what you want to major in or not, most colleges require a set of general electives to be able to begin your “upper division,” or major-specific, coursework. This means that you’ll be learning about various topics that you may have never been exposed to before, which expands your chances to discover a new interest, passion or hobby.

Making your own mark

As seasoned college students, four-year colleges and universities look forward to your contributions to their campus. Also, a welcoming community of widely diverse students awaits your arrival, so you don’t have to worry about not fitting in. It’s easy to start meeting new people just by joining student clubs.

Career preparation

Defining your career path after college can be overwhelming. You have started the path already, and advisors and counselors at four-year colleges and universities will help you continue on the wide road of your own personal discovery. The four-year degree is your starting point for professional school, graduate school, and the world of work.

Why do people get bachelor's degrees?

1. Increased Access to Job Opportunities. Having a bachelor’s degree opens up rewarding opportunities that might have otherwise been inaccessible. College graduates see 57 percent more job opportunities than non-graduates, and it is estimated that, by 2020, two-thirds of all jobs will require postsecondary education.

What percentage of high school graduates say their job is just to get them by?

Forty-two percent of high school graduates say their job is “just to get them by,” compared to 14 percent of bachelor’s degree holders. Bachelor’s degree holders also enjoy more on-the-job perks that contribute to a sense of career satisfaction.

How many jobs have been created since 2010?

Economic Stability. Of the 11.6 million jobs created since 2010, over 8.4 million jobs—95 percent—have gone to bachelor’s degree holders. Meanwhile, jobs for high school graduates have only grown by 80,000. It makes sense, then, that bachelor’s degree holders have a significantly lower rate of unemployment than high school graduates.

What percentage of college graduates consider their job a career?

Eighty-six percent of college graduates consider their job a career or a stepping stone to their career, while only 57 percent of high school graduates say the same. The majority of bachelor’s degree holders—60 percent—say they are highly satisfied and their job is more than just a paycheck.

What percentage of people without a college degree live in poverty?

According to Pew Research Center, only six percent of bachelor’s degree holders live below the poverty line, while an alarming 22 percent of people without a college degree live in poverty. Earning a bachelor’s degree will help afford you economic stability and security for the future. 6. Networking Opportunities.

How many jobs will require a bachelor's degree in 2020?

Thus, it’s estimated that, by 2020, there will be 13 million available jobs requiring bachelor’s degrees. Although 36 percent of adults ages 25 to 36 currently hold a college degree, the United States will still fall short of meeting employer demand by five million qualified workers by 2020. On your path to earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll gain ...

How much does an associates degree earn?

Associate degree holders earn an average of $836 per week, or $43,472 per year. Earning a bachelor’s degree brings with it a substantial jump in pay. Bachelor’s degree holders make an average of $1,173 per week, or $60,996 each year.