community college

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "community college" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a type of two-year college that offers academic and vocational programs to local communities. Example: After graduating high school, she decided to attend her local community college to save money before transferring to a four-year university.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Isn't that a community college?

The New York Times

Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.

The New York Times

Jackson Community College was established in 1928.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Independence Community College was established in 1925.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Parkland (community) College was founded in 1966.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bergen Community College, Paramus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

She completed her community-college level studies.

BMC Health Services Research

Passaic County Community College, 1 College Boulevard.

The New York Times

My Community College Experience.

Science Magazine

Monmouth Museum, Brookdale Community College.

The New York Times

Feb. 19: Hartford.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about higher education access, use "community college" to specifically denote institutions offering associate degrees and vocational training, as opposed to four-year universities.

Common error

Avoid using "community college" interchangeably with "university" or "college" offering bachelor's degrees. "Community college" refers specifically to two-year institutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "community college" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of educational institution. As Ludwig AI correctly states, it refers to two-year colleges that offers academic and vocational programs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "community college" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to a two-year post-secondary institution. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to identify a type of educational institution that provides accessible and affordable education, with focus on academic and vocational programs. Usage is very common across various contexts like News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science, with the "junior college" being the closest synonymous alternative. It's important to use the term precisely, differentiating it from four-year colleges or universities. This ensures clarity when discussing educational pathways and options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

junior college

Focuses on the two-year aspect and transfer preparation.

two-year college

Highlights the duration of study.

local college

Emphasizes geographic accessibility.

technical college

Highlights vocational training aspect.

vocational school

Focuses on skills-based learning.

trade school

Emphasizes specific job training.

city college

Highlights location within a city.

regional college

Emphasizes service to a broader area.

state college

Implies public funding and governance.

further education college

Focuses on continued learning.

FAQs

What is a "community college"?

A "community college" is a two-year post-secondary institution offering associate degrees, vocational training, and preparation for transfer to four-year universities.

What are the benefits of attending a "community college"?

Benefits include lower tuition costs, smaller class sizes, and convenient locations. Many students use it as a stepping stone before transferring to a four-year university. Enrolling to a "technical college", "trade school", or "vocational school" will provide you with specific skills to start working.

Can I transfer from a "community college" to a university?

Yes, many students attend a "community college" for the first two years of their bachelor's degree and then transfer to a four-year university to complete their studies.

What kind of programs do "community colleges" offer?

"Community colleges" offer a wide range of programs, including associate degrees, vocational certificates, and continuing education courses. They are also referred to as "junior college", "two-year college", or "local college".