The Best Deal For The Buck

Why are two-year colleges a good deal for high school seniors and working adults? Many reasons. But there's one that resonates more than others -- the price tag.

Starting out at a two-year school can cut the cost of a four-year degree in half. Continuing education at a two-year school can not only save money for adults, but also helps keep job skills fresh.

What Makes Two-Year A Good Deal:

• Community college costs are, on average, about one-tenth the usual tuition and fees paid at independent four-year colleges.

• Community colleges have the lowest cost per full-time student of any type of higher ed institution.

• Two-year schools spend more than 75 percent of their budgets on student-related expenditures -- a higher proportion than any other sector.

• Community colleges also report that they spend more than 50 percent of their budgets on instruction and academic support.

• Full-time community college faculty spend more hours in the classroom than faculty in any other sector of higher education.

Two-year schools also often offer financial-planning and budget advice, says Richard Thomson, director of admissions at the NEI College of Technology in Columbia Heights, Minn.

"We make sure school's a viable option for them at all times," he says.

Next: The Top Ten Reasons To Go Two-Year