When we embark on our journey toward a higher education, we must choose between attending a community college or a university.

State Senator Carlos I. Uresti believes community colleges are a gateway or stepping stone.

“Many times they provide the step needed for those who just aren’t ready to tackle a standard four-year university yet,” Uresti said. “They allow a student to learn how to deal with a system.”

Many factors will ultimately influence our decision, including cost, class sizes and our overall personal goals. While some may be ready to dive into a four-year university, others may choose to begin at community college. The truth of the matter is there is no right or wrong answer. You have to do what’s right for you. If you have chosen to further your education, you’re on the right path.

One of the main factors in making a decision is probably the cost. Community colleges offer lower tuition than most universities. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, the average annual tuition was $2,272, versus $5,836 for a four-year public university.

“The cost of a university is really expensive. One semesters tuition there is nearly equal to the cost of two semesters here,” said Krystal N. Escamilla, a second-year Psychology major, who transferred here to Palo Alto from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. There, her tuition cost for one semester was $2,500. This semester, at Palo Alto, she spent just over $1,200.

“Community colleges are pretty much the same as universities. We come here to get an education. It just happens to be less expensive,” she said.

On a more local note, 15 hours at UTSA will set you back $3,338.45, while Palo Alto offers the same amount of hours for only $781. The savings are even more significant if you’re considered an out-of-district resident. You will pay $7,065 at UTSA, compared to $1,441 at Palo Alto.

Another factor that will probably impact your decision-making is class size. While the medium class size here at Palo Alto tends to run no more than 24 students, classes at most universities run at least 25 and up, and some are even as high as 60 at the University of Texas at San Antonio, according to UTSA student M.J. Star, a third-year Criminal Justice major. Teresa Cook, another UTSA student, graduated from Palo Alto College with two associate’s degrees. She thinks that class size directly impacts the one-on-one attention that professors can give.“

Professors at a community college-level seemed more willing to get to know their students where professors at a university-level might like to, but because of the sheer number of students they work with, it is almost impossible,” said Cook, who is now pursuing two bachelor’s degrees, one in Technical Communications and the other in Professional Writing.

Cook originally began her college career at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to Oklahoma City Community College. She credits Palo Alto with the continued success she is achieving at UTSA.“

I felt I was prepared in the sense that I was back in the rhythm of going to class, studying and keeping organized. Palo Alto gave me the confidence to try and succeed at UTSA.”

Ultimately, your overall decision should be determined by your personal goals as well as your academic achievements. For example, you may want to attend the same school for your graduate studies. Then again, you may want to change your environment. Or, if you’re a bit academically challenged, you may need to start off at a community college that caters to bringing you up to speed.

Students should always be familiar with the core curriculum and the degree that they wish to pursue. Meeting with a guidance counselor or faculty adviser both at a community college and a university is essential to mapping out your success.

“Strive to do your best,“ Uresti said. “The foundation you are laying now will serve you for the rest of your life.”

• Nationally, 46 percent of all enrolled undergraduates have chosen to attend community college
• 50 percent of new nurses and the majority of other new healthcare workers are educated at community colleges
• Close to 100,000 international students attend community colleges, which is about 39 percent of all international undergraduate students in the United States
• 95 percent of businesses and organizations that employ community college graduates recommend community college workforce education and training programs
• Close to 80 percent of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and EMTs are credentialed at community colleges
• Registered nursing, law enforcement, licensed practical nursing, radiology, and computer technologies are the five hottest community college programs
• The average expected lifetime earnings for a graduate with an associate’s degree are $1.6 million, about $400,000 more than a high school graduate earns