I encourage all students to look at the exciting new changes that are occurring on the SUNY community college campuses today! Last month, Governor Kathy Hochul presented an Executive Budget containing historic investments in the New York public college and university system. “The $114 million proposed operating increase for our State-operated campuses will ensure we continue to support our students and attract and retain top faculty and staff as we deliver on our promise of academic excellence and affordability,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. (NY Gov. Hochul’s Budget Proposes Free Tuition for Tech Degrees).
These initiatives provide a perfect opportunity for a review of the many advantages of a community college degree. These are not the community colleges of your parents’ day- in addition to the value of an associate’s degree, these degree programs are deeply integrated into industry pipelines for exciting career opportunities. For example, Onondaga Community College’s Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab, the largest semiconductor fabrication in the history of the United States, will prepare students for high-demand careers in the semiconductor and microelectronic industries. In addition to on-campus programs, SUNY community colleges offer 2 year degrees online, 1-year certificates online, microcredentials, and evening and weekend classes to fit a busy life.
An associate’s degree facilitates entry into the workforce, increasing both likelihood of having a job and earnings. The SUNY website contains the following data: approximately 64% of associate degree graduates have zero federal student loan debt, and the total cost of a community college degree is half that of the average cost of a four-year college. The average class size is 17 students. Admission to a SUNY four-year college is guaranteed after receiving an AA or AS degree. Many community college campuses have on-campus dorms to further elevate the college experience.
According to Department of Labor statistics, approximately 82% of associate degree recipients are employed in New York after two years. Direct career placement is a tremendous advantage for the careers that have been identified as having a high demand for workers. In addition to the Micron semiconductor project described above, Genesee Community College and Cayuga Community College recently celebrated their expanded healthcare workforce training programs made possible by the community college funding included by Governor Hochul and the legislature in last year’s State budget. SUNY Broome will expand its nursing education program to serve 45 percent more students each year in its Decker Health Science Center. These are just a few examples of the direct career pipeline that students receive at a community college.
As we have seen, there are many benefits to a community college degree. Some students who did not enjoy or do well in high school have often found themselves succeeding in a more hands-on learning environment. Other students do not have any idea where their interest lie, and it makes sense to save money while figuring out the future. Many students cannot leave home for college for a variety of reasons, and the community college option also suits those students perfectly. These benefits, combined with the demonstrated commitment of the Governor and the legislature to the outstanding SUNY higher education system, make the community college option an attractive one.
