2-Year Colleges

Generally:
o
o
o
o

Open admission policies which means all is

welcome to attend
Need a high school diploma or GED
Most students are in-state residents
Most colleges offer a comprehensive
curriculum in:
o Liberal arts and sciences
o Vocational and technical training
The flip side is that in comparison to 4 year
college, many times there is a limited
curriculum which is why sometimes
students will start at a 2 year and transfer to
a 4 year

o
o
o
o
o
o
o

2-Year Colleges in the Seattle Area:

An associates degree is usually the highest

degree awarded
Most are commuter friendly with a few
exceptions that have campus housing
Class size averages between 25-40 students
Most are more affordable than 4 year
colleges
Professors are still as qualified as any other
college
Smaller campus life environment
Although not usually necessary, can still
submit ACT or SAT scores

2-Year Colleges Around the State:

In the United States, community

colleges, sometimes called junior
colleges, technical colleges, two-
year colleges, or city colleges, are
primarily two-year public
institutions providing higher
education and lower-level tertiary
education, granting certificates,
diplomas, and associate's
degrees. Many also offer
continuing and adult education.
After graduating from a
community college, some students transfer to a four-year liberal arts college or university for two to three years
to complete a bachelor's degree.
Before the 1970s, community colleges in the United States were more commonly referred to as junior colleges,
and that term is still used at some institutions. However, the term "junior college" has evolved to describe private
two-year institutions, whereas the term "community college" has evolved to describe publicly funded two-year
institutions. The name derives from the fact that community colleges primarily attract and accept students from
the local community, and are often supported by local tax revenue. There has since been a transition to take out
the word community due to the stigma it has caused with many students.
Comprehensive community colleges
Many schools have adapted the term comprehensive to describe their institutions. These schools typically offer
six facets of education:
1

Transfer education The traditional two-year student who will then transfer to a four-year institution to
pursue a BS/BA degree.

Career education The traditional two-year student that will graduate with an Associate Degree and
directly enter the workforce.

Developmental Remedial education for high school graduates who are not academically ready to enroll
in college-level courses.

Continuing Non-Credit courses offered to the community for personal development and interest.

Industry training Contracted training and education wherein a local company pays the college to
provide specific training or courses for their employees.

eLearning Distance learning occurs online using one's computer and proctored exams. Pell grants and
federal aid apply to eLearning also. For example, studying Spanish in an eLearning environment is
possible when a student is in another state and federal aid is applied to out-of-state tuition.
*Source: wikipedia.com, collegeboard.org