This was the case for the 22-year-old respondent, Sophia Ladios, who studies the medico-legal sciences and criminal justice in her local community college in Palatine, Ill. Ladios says that after having graduated as a partner, she plans to transfer to the University of Illinois Chicago to continue a baccalaureate in organic sciences.
“This brings you to another level, and in my career path for criminal justice, that does not limit me to a certain position,” she says. “What I could get if I had a four -year baccalaureate is that I could test to become a sergeant, potentially a lieutenant or commander for a certain sector of the police service.”
Part of this dream of obtaining a baccalaureate, she says, comes from her family.
“Growing up, I have always been taught the value of continuing a four-year diploma, because my two parents have never finished the university,” she said. “I always appreciate obtaining this baccalaureate more strongly than simply staying with a partner.”
A majority of participants believe that the college will pay within five years
Asked about the financial reimbursement of the continuation of higher education, 58% of all the respondents said that the college will pay within five years after obtaining the diploma and that almost 90% said that it will pay in 10 years or less. For respondents who spent time at university, it is because they have taken out student loans.
“People think they will get a return on investment,” says Brown. “For me, it’s surprising in the right direction.”
Part of this confidence seems to come from what is happening in college classrooms: 72% of respondents who were currently in baccalaureate programs said that the quality of education was “excellent” or “very good” and 65% of those who have associated programs said the same thing.
And a little less than half of the respondents who were currently at the university said they were “very confident” that the college would teach them job -related skills and would help them get a job they like to do.
Associated diplomas feel more accessible
Americans without university degree seem to feel much more comfortable with the cost of community colleges. Forty percent said that two -year -old colleges were billing a “fair price”, while 18% told about four years.
The two -year programs, on average, cost much less than four years, and community college campuses are often located near the place where students live.
“It is a really practical choice that people make” especially when they are aligned on the local labor market, explains Bridgett Strickler to the adult and experiential learning advice.
Strickler works with adults who seek to continue the college for the first time, or come back to finish their diploma.
“I think these programs are great, and people make intelligent choices when they choose this two-year program,” she said.
“It saves them time and money, and it’s really the name of the game.”
