Community college
Meaning: A public, two-year college offering associate degrees and transfer pathways at lower cost.
Community college (CC) is the affordable gateway to higher education. For $50–150 per credit (vs. $500+ at four-year schools), students can complete general education requirements and transfer. 'I started at community college' used to carry stigma but is increasingly respected as a smart financial decision. CCs serve diverse populations: recent high school graduates, career changers, returning adults, and immigrants. 'CC to UC' (community college to University of California) is a well-traveled path.
Examples
- I did two years at community college and transferred to a four-year university — saved $40,000. 我在社区大学读了两年然后转入四年制大学——省了4万美元。Estudié dos años en un community college y me transferí a una universidad de cuatro años — ahorré 40.000 dólares.コミュニティカレッジで2年学んでから四年制大学に編入した——4万ドル節約できた。커뮤니티 칼리지에서 2년 다닌 후 4년제 대학에 편입했다 — 4만 달러를 절약했다.
- Community college gets a bad rap but the education is solid and the price is right. 社区大学名声不好,但教学质量扎实,学费也划算。El community college tiene mala fama, pero la educación es sólida y el precio es imbatible.コミカレは評判が良くないけど、教育の質はしっかりしていて学費も手頃だ。커뮤니티 칼리지는 평판이 좋지 않지만 교육의 질은 탄탄하고 학비도 합리적이다.
- She went to community college because she was not sure what she wanted to study. 她因为不确定想学什么,所以去了社区大学。Ella fue a un community college porque no tenía claro qué quería estudiar.彼女は何を勉強したいかわからなかったのでコミュニティカレッジに行った。그녀는 뭘 공부하고 싶은지 몰라서 커뮤니티 칼리지에 갔다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: education, finance, accessibility
Tone: practical, sometimes defensive
✓ Do Say
- Community college is a smart choice.社区大学是个明智的选择。El community college es una opción inteligente.コミュニティカレッジは賢い選択だ。커뮤니티 칼리지는 현명한 선택이야.
- I started at CC and transferred.我从社区大学开始,后来转学了。Empecé en un CC y me transferí.コミカレから始めて編入した。나는 CC에서 시작해서 편입했어.
✗ Don't Say
- Never look down on community college — it provides essential educational access.永远不要瞧不起社区大学——它提供了至关重要的教育机会。Nunca menosprecies el community college — proporciona un acceso educativo esencial.コミュニティカレッジを見下してはいけない——重要な教育機会を提供している。커뮤니티 칼리지를 절대 무시하지 마라 — 필수적인 교육 기회를 제공한다.
Origin & History
The American community college system developed in the early 1900s. Joliet Junior College (1901) is considered the first. The system expanded dramatically in the 1960s.
Cultural Context
Era: 1900s–present
Generation: All generations
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions
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