Addisyn Kundinger ‘27, Opinion Editor
For high school seniors in Michigan, college can represent more than just the next step in their education. For many, it is the first opportunity to leave home, live independently, and experience a new environment. But as application season approaches, some students are facing a different question: is moving away from home financially worthwhile, or is staying closer the better choice?
However, community colleges offer an alternative to immediately moving away to a four-year university. For some students, staying close to home can provide financial savings, flexibility, and time to figure out what they want for their education. The financial benefits for students living in Michigan are even larger, as community college is free for many. As well as if you look at the cost for just instate universities many schools are upwards of $30,000.
Senior Mariah Bruner said, “Community college is beneficial to me where I am at in life because not only will it save me money in the long run, but it allows me to mature a little more and get a better understanding of college from where I am comfortable while still keeping my job.” This can allow students to grow at their own pace and not feel like they are forced to make expensive life decisions all at once.
One of the biggest reasons students consider community college is cost. Tuition is generally lower than four-year universities, and students who continue living at home can also avoid the cost of room and board. For families trying to make college more affordable, staying home for a few years can significantly reduce expenses.
But saving money can come with a trade-off: independence. Moving away to a four-year university often means learning how to manage a new schedule, live with roommates, navigate a new city, and make decisions without the same support students have at home.
For some students, that independence is one of the most exciting parts of college. While senior Addison Vince faces the challenge of not finding a program that fits her. Vince said, “Because the programs I am looking to take aren’t offered at the levels I would like in state, that is when I began to consider community college to at least start a degree while I look for a program that suits me.”
Something else to take into account when choosing whether to attend a four year university or community college is how certain they are on what they want to do. As not every high school senior knows what they want to study. Starting at a community college can give students an opportunity to explore different subjects without immediately committing to the cost of a four-year university. Senior Isabel Petroskey said, “I feel like there are a lot of different majors you can do to help you get into law school, so that is why I am unsure about my major.”
For others, staying close to home can be an advantage rather than a limitation. Students may be able to continue living with their families while working, taking classes, or exploring potential careers. Community colleges can also offer smaller classes and programs designed to prepare students for specific careers or for transferring to a four-year university.
However, students who plan to transfer should carefully research their options. Not every course or credit will necessarily fit every university’s requirements, so students need to understand transfer agreements and degree requirements before choosing their classes.
Students who have always pictured themselves attending a four-year university, community college can also feel like giving up part of the college experience. Living in a dorm, meeting people from different backgrounds, joining campus organizations, attending sporting events, and becoming part of a university community can be important parts of the college experience.
Ultimately, the decision between staying close and moving away is not simply about choosing between community colleges like Oakland Community College or Washtenaw Community College and a university like Michigan State University. It is about deciding what students need at this point in their lives.
Staying close means saving money, exploring their options, and gradually becoming independent, which can be extremely beneficial for many. While moving away means challenging themselves, experiencing a new environment, and gaining independence immediately. There is no universal answer. Community college does not have to be a backup plan, just as trying the four year college rate does not automatically mean a student is making the better choice for themselves.
As Michigan seniors begin making their plans, the real question may be less about where they go and more about what they want their first step after high school to look like: stay close and build from home, or move away and start something completely new? At the end of the day you should trust your gut, and do what is right for you, not your friends.
