College used to be an iconic part of the American dream, but lately, it’s started to feel like more of a pipe dream for many people. According to the Educational Data Initiative, the average cost of college has more than doubled in the 21st century!
We asked around to find out why people think college isn’t something they can achieve. Here’s what they said:
Tuition is too expensive.
The cost of attending college is not what it used to be! Considering student loan interest and loss of income, the ultimate cost of a bachelor’s degree can exceed $500,000. In Arizona, a year of tuition at a four-year university can start at $10,000 (in-state residency).
Scottsdale Community College (SCC), for example, strives to make college as affordable and accessible as possible. With an average cost of $97 per credit hour, it has one of the lowest tuition rates in Arizona, with a full year of tuition at approximately $2,328 (in-state residency). That means you can complete a year of schooling at SCC for a fraction of the cost!
It’s not just tuition – textbooks are expensive, too!
Finding out the class you registered for will require a few hundred dollars worth of textbooks on top of your tuition is an awful feeling. And then you see the textbook isn’t even bound? What gives?
At SCC, many classes have no textbooks costs. In addition, the College offers A-Z (Affordable to Zero Cost Learning Materials) programs and degrees. This means that all required courses within a program or degree pathway have textbook costs under $40 per class. Many faculty prefer to teach with Open Educational Resources (OERs). OERs are free, openly licensed materials that faculty use in place of or in addition to traditional textbooks. OERs come in a range of materials, including full-length books, videos, tutorials, and more.
I have a job, and college would take up too much of my time.
Life as a full-time student isn’t the only path. If you have a job you love, SCC has plenty of flexible learning options that allow you to learn new skills without a massive time commitment. Or, if you have a job you don’t love, you can discover pathways to new careers in as little as six months!
For example, Fast Track Certificates are a quick, affordable way to help you transition into a new career, put your life on a better path or toward a future degree, and help you stay competitive in your chosen field. There are dozens of certifications available in Business, Management, Financial Services, Computer and Information Technology, Health Sciences, and more,
I hate driving in the Phoenix traffic. Commuting to class is just too much.
Even with the centralized location of SCC’s campus off the 101 freeway, commuting can be a drag for some people. That’s why SCC offers various degrees and certifications that can be completed 100% online, providing students with expanded flexibility.
I like being on campus, but classes are too big for me to get to know anyone.
At a university, you might be right. It can be hard not to feel like just a number when sitting with 500 other students in a cavernous lecture hall. But at SCC, the average class size is just 14! When you’re studying alongside a handful of fellow students on that same path, making connections is much easier.
The Office of Student Experience and Leadership provides extensive student-centered academic and cultural campus-wide events, engages in collaborative co-curricular programming, and supports many student clubs to meet other like-minded students. There are also many athletic and fine and performing arts events happening each semester.
College is too big to make a connection with my professors.
Engaged faculty can make all the difference for some students. SCC’s smaller class sizes mean you have much more one-on-one time with your professors to ask questions and get the support you need. Plus, there are no teacher’s assistants, so your professor is on hand for everything you need. With highly qualified and experienced professors, that relationship can make all the difference.
Community college is too watered down for what I want to study.
All SCC courses are accredited by the same organizations and standards as four-year state universities. With smaller class sizes and more engaged professors, you’ll have the opportunity to get even more out of your classes than equivalent courses at a four-year university.
If your career aspirations take you through university, you’re in luck. SCC has established transfer partnerships with over 40 four-year universities to ensure your credits transfer easily, saving you time and money.
I don’t know if what I’ll be learning will translate to a real job.
Spending thousands of dollars on tuition to learn about things you’ll never be asked to use in your career can feel like a waste. That’s why SCC’s faculty comes to the classroom with years of industry experience. They know precisely what makes for great candidates in their field. Whether learning to operate essential machinery or mastering specific software, SCC students graduate job-ready.
I don't have time to learn theories; I need to start my career ASAP.
College doesn’t need to be a time of exploration. You can get real-world, hands-on training that you can apply to your job tomorrow and immediately make a difference.
SCC's career and technical education (CTE) programs combine academic and technical skills with the knowledge and training required to obtain industry-recognized credentials. CTE programs include business and entrepreneurship, architectural technology, computer science and information technology, health sciences, theater arts, digital media, culinary arts, and many more. If you’re ready to get to work, there’s a path for you here.
Honestly, school has always been a struggle for me. I just don’t think I can do college.
You wouldn’t be the first student who’s thought that! But just because you’ve had a tough time before doesn’t mean you can’t succeed now. SCC prides itself on making learning accessible to people with every learning style and fostering good study habits.
SCC offers a culture of care where every faculty and staff member is here to support you. Tutoring, personal counseling, academic advising, food pantries, financial aid services, and internship opportunities are available at no cost and just a few of the ways SCC will be there to help you reach your goals.
What’s it like attending community college? Check out this short video (55 seconds).
Visit our Future Students page to find your next steps. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Fighting Artichoke Family!