In some countries, the terms “community college” and “university” are used interchangeably. In the USA, however, these are entirely different higher education institutions. Community college is mostly attended by students from minority groups or those who don’t have the finances to cover expensive tuition.

The main problem with a community college is that it comes in the form of a two-year school that awards associate degrees and certificates. Unfortunately, most higher-level job positions require you to have a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree, so transferring to a university after attending community college is recommended by these institutions. 

In this article, we will discuss why it is so challenging to get accepted into a university after two years of community college and what can be done to narrow the privilege gap.

The Advantages Of Attending a Community College

The average tuition fee for a private university is $36,500 per year. This is relatively high for most students, which is one of the main reasons why 80% of students are still paying off student loans years after obtaining a degree. 

With that in mind, community college is a fantastic option for students in a poor financial situation or a minority group. 

You can apply for job positions after graduating from community colleges, such as a nurse, electrical technician, dental specialist, therapy assistant, and many others. Still, if you are looking to get higher pay, you will need a Bachelor’s degree. 

Transfer Gap For Students Of Color

It is no secret that more than 50% of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Native American graduates attend community colleges. While this isn’t an issue, per se, the fact that they encounter a low chance of getting accepted into a university needs to be addressed. 

According to different studies, white students from a community college and into a university have a success rate of 75%. The disproportion in this matter is apparent, as only one out of every four students of color succeeds in his/her transfer.

Overcoming the Transfer Gap

Promoting equity through progressive education comes as the most effective solution for eliminating the “transfer gap.” For this to be done, community colleges need to partner with private and public universities to make it easier for students to achieve a vertical transfer. 

Concluding Thoughts

The topic of overcoming white privilege and transfer challenges has never been so present. With that in mind, we sincerely hope that higher education institutions will cooperate with making four-year academic programs available to everyone.