Having a college degree can mean the difference between living your dreams – and earning a livable wage – and floundering in a sensitive and unstable market. However, it can be difficult to decide what kind of college degree is best. In most cases, you have two options: either get your degree from a technical college or four year university. A technical college is a university like any other, but it is usually easier to apply and get accepted. Moreover, you will focus on learning one specific skill or trade that will help you succeed in the job market. A four year university is much more competitive and your education is broader and covers many different purviews. So, which is right for you?
First, you have to look at whether your grades are good enough to get into a four-year university. You also have to determine whether you are a good candidate for the university environment. If you don’t have a strong grade point average or if you are returning to a scholastic career after many years of being away, you may thrive better in a two-year technical college program.
Also, when deciding between a technical college and university, you want to determine how long you want to be in school for. Depending on what you want to do for a living, you may be required to go through a four-year university program, but if you want an expedited collegiate experience, going to a technical school may be better for you. Most technical programs, like the one provided by the Computer Systems Institute, take up to two years to complete. If you want to join the workforce sooner rather than later, getting your degree from a technical school may be the best option for you.
Next, you want to look at what your budget is. Do you have a small budget? Do you have the capital to invest in a college experience? If you have a small budget or no budget, you may be better off going through a technical or associates degree program. A four-year university will not only have high tuition rates, but you also have to think about all the other expenses, like lodging and textbooks. A technical college, however, is much less expensive and you can often get away with enrolling without having to worry about being in debt for the foreseeable future.
Lastly, you also have to consider what you want to do for a living. Do you want to become a doctor or a lawyer? – Both of those careers require not only attending a four-year university and getting your degree, but you also have to enter medical school and have multiple years of training. If you want to become a legal assistant, paralegal or a nurse, you won’t need all those years of education, because you can enter a technical college program to get your degree. In the end, when deciding between a technical college and a university, you really have to think about your future and what you want to do with the rest of your life.