Two year colleges provide a variety of opportunities for students who want additional education beyond high school. Students may elect certificate programs which offer specialized training and instruction, associate degree programs which can lead to a terminal two year degree, or a transfer option to a four year institution. Students with a certificate will be eligible for specific jobs. Those who have earned Associate's Degrees will be eligible for immediate employment or the opportunity to transfer to a four year college.

What are the advantages of going to a two year college? The low "tuition of a community college is less than half the cost of public four year colleges, and about one-tenth the cost of private four year colleges" (Community Colleges: A Viable Option, National Association for College Admission Counseling).

Varied opportunities to begin a job in as little time as a year (the certificate program) or in two years after the Associate Degree is awarded.

The Associate Degree option allows you to transfer to a four year college in order to get a Bachelor's Degree. It is important to note that most Virginia public colleges have articulation agreements with the Virginia Community College System that allows you to transfer in to their college, possibly accepting all of your credits and giving you junior status. Other schools require a minimum GPA to transfer to their school and may not transfer all your credits. Certain Virginia state colleges have a guaranteed admissions program if you have completed the Community College with a certain GPA (e.g. UVA requires a 3.4 GPA). For more information regarding the Virginia transfer and articulation systems go to:
http://www.so.cc.va.us/transfer.htm

Community colleges and some two year colleges have an open admissions policy (grades and test scores will not be considered). For other two year colleges the admissions requirements are less stringent than for four year schools.

Community college schedules are flexible: you can easily plan your coursework around a job or other obligations.