Editorial

Community colleges offer a bargain education

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

It's a paradox of economics that beer companies and discount stores seem to do better when the economy isn't doing so well.

When people are feeling flush, they tend toward champagne and trendy department stores. When times are a little tougher, people tend to pinch their pennies.

Those who are wise with their personal finances pinch their pennies during the good times in order to be able to survive the lean.

They're using their resources wisely to invest in their own futures.

It's a paradox of higher education, especially among community colleges, that enrollment climbs when jobs are a little less plentiful. When high-paying employment opportunities are plentiful, it's tempting to forget about college and go to work.

When jobs are harder to find, many traditional and non-traditional -- read: older -- students use the time to further their education.

The Mid-Plains Community College system, which includes McCook Community College and North Platte Community College, usually doesn't release figures until it has stabilized, usually sometime in October, but if it's in line with national trends, we're willing to bet enrollment is good this fall.

Some 11.5 million people attended community colleges last year, and a trend of increasing enrollment this summer was expected to extend into the fall.

But parents who have seen their children's college funds decimated by stock market declines are finding the bargain educations they need in community college.

The tag line "twice the education, half the price" resonates well with those families.

Nationwide, it costs an average of $2,361 in tuition and fees for an in-state student to attend a community college, compared to $7,404 for a public four-year school.

McCook Community College is very competitive with those national figures, but we think the campus, planned events center, athletic opportunities and student life give it an edge over other small colleges.

Tuition and fees are only a small part of the cost of attending college, of course. With books budgeted at $500 and campus housing and meals $2,200, official MCC estimates are $3,885 per semester total costs.

But students and parents should remember, of course, it costs money to live whether or not you're attending college. Other philosophers have noted that non-traditional students who think they may be too old to spend two years in college, will become two years older whether or not they get an education in the process.

Beer instead of champagne?

We don't think so. Most of us who have benefitted from a community college education see it as a good investment in our future.

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  • Well said. Service to country is also a great way to obtain an education, plus other benefits. If a person can afford to go to College, go to learn. If a person cannot afford to go, check out my first option, above. Many of us poor folk received excellent education from serving our country.

    In Christ, Peace. Arley Steinhour

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Wed, Sep 3, 2008, at 5:13 PM
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