Community college is typically less than half that of a private college or university. In NJ, for example, the average tuition is approximately $5,616 per year for in-state students and $7,703 for out-of-state students (2022). For private colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $16,113 per year. Starting off in community college offers many benefits vs. private colleges:
- Saves money in tuition, and room and board if student lives at home;
- Enables student to gradually transition to a college/university mindset that is likely more rigorous than high school;
- Provides opportunity to try broad range of classes in less challenging academic environment;
- Provides opportunity to improve on high school GPA and strengthen application for private college;
- Enables students to refine the area of desired focus and enter private college more fully committed.
