Are University classes harder than CC classes?

morningdew · Dec 23, 2009

I've done both and I can honestly say they are equally difficult. You'll find that most of the CC professors are also professors at Universities.

For me there's been no difference so feel proud of the fact that you have a 4.0! Not many can say the same.

frnzy · Dec 23, 2009

To me, I've found them equal but different. The classes at a CC are generally smaller, for instance. Does that make them easier? Sometimes if it's a class you're struggling with and the person who grades you has the time to give you individual attention. But the material itself isn't easier, it's the special attention that helps you get a better grade. Does that make sense?

Also for example, the Intro to Chem 1 lecture at the local big 10 Uni is offered once this summer. At 10 am on Tues, Wed, Thursday. At the CC, there's 5 or 6 offerings of the lecture. Some in the morning. Some at night or on weekends. So the Uni lecture might be "harder" for some people in the sense of getting to and working into your existing life. But the material is essentially the same.

My advice is if it's a class that really matters for you major, the prestige and HONOR of having a particular lecture professor is important, as well as being able to talk to someone from your same Uni years later and say "did you ever take Professor So-and-So for Intro to Philosophy?" But in general it doesn't make a difference.

EDIT: Unless you're applying to ~some~ Universities.

To paraphrase their transfer guide, you cannot ever transfer CC credit to them and have it apply as an equivalent to a 300 level+ course. And NOTHING transfers from a CC if you take it AFTER you've already earned 60 college credits and are a "Junior", no matter where and when you've been taking classes before. So my PHIL 201 class I just took this semester at CC ~might~ have transferred to prestigious state Uni nursing program, ~IF~ I hadn't already received a Bachelor's Degree. But since I already have a degree, I can't transfer my PHIL 201 class. Grumble, grumble ...

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 23, 2009

I too think it depends on the professor. As someone else said a lot them teach at Universities as well, so it makes no difference whether you learn the material at a CC or a big university (I prefer CC classes because it's more close knit). My A&P teacher came from a big University and she was HARD. At least half the class dropped out by the end and only a few ended up with A's or even with their heads above water - I know quite a few who have to retake it next semester. So yeah, I wouldn't call that "easy" by any means - the material is the same anywhere you go. Feel proud!!! :up:

mystic33 · Dec 23, 2009

Based on my experience, I retain information that I learned from CC better than I did in University. Maybe because the teachers at CC were more patient or it could be that the semesters were longer so you got more opportunity to learn the material better. I am not sure what exactly it was but at University, the pace was very very fast and I felt like the teaching and input from the professors sucked. At the university level, it's like you had to teach yourself the materials. Maybe I was spoonfed at CC, I don't know, but at the university level, you had to put in the dedication and time because if you fail, you could get kicked out in a heart beat. I studied a lot harder at the university, maybe because there was more to loose - not to mention how expensive it was to retake any class, wow!!

cheertt2 · Dec 23, 2009

I have experience with both taking classes at a CC and a 4-year institution. I think it really depends on the professor, the person and the class. For example, I just completed Statistics and I must say that the class was hard. The professor really wanted you to know the information. I ended up with a B and I was very happy because I also learned the material. As long as the credits will transfer, I don't think you should worry about it too much.

nnicolee · Dec 23, 2009

Ever since I started college I've had this discussion numerous times with friends that go to universities. All I keep hearing is "CC's are easier..." "Why'd you go to CC" "You should have gone to a REAL college" I actually take great offense to that when people say CCs are easier... truth is they're really not (depending on class). I've just completed my second semester of college and boy let me tell you I've had some tough teachers. I do in fact go off of people's opinions of teachers and ratemyprofessors, so I take full accountability for what teachers I choose and I honestly don't have any problems with having a difficult teacher, they're difficult for a reason- to make you smarter! I really do believe people's perceptions of community colleges are WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY off though.

This past semester I had a few difficult teachers. My english teacher was very stressful because (and she even stated) this was her class, stick to MY way, if it's not my WAY you won't pass enough said. Well half if not more of the class dropped out. So that left us with only ten kids. And boy let me tell you the less kids there are the more the time the teacher has to nit pick about papers. Well I luckily came out with a 95% EXACTLY (she never gave higher than 95%s on assignments so I guess she really liked me :)!!) But this example just shows that unlike when you go to a university a teacher has hundreds of students so they probably can't pick Billy out of the crowd, but at a CC you have to really be careful because class sizes are so small so with only a couple students in class, teachers will remember you by FIRST and LAST name. I do not mind being picked apart by a teacher because I think that will only make me a stronger student and if I work harder I'll be able to stand out on a university level.

I think CCs are a great benefit to secondary education because well, they're cheap. With that said I do not regret EVER starting off at a CC. It was a very easy transition quite similar to high school with the small class sizes and I do enjoy that a lot. Unlike many people who start off by going straight to college, dorming, etc. I actually saved a lot of money and so far have gained a better understanding of the worth of my education because I know that grades do matter and it's more important to get A's then party.

It really depends on the type of person you are though. If you like being a number rather than a person then Universities are for you, but at a CC know you'll get treated like an equal and perhaps even gain some great insight from teachers. Plus if a teacher really remembers you, there are also great chances for LOR (which is required for some nursing program). ;)

That's just my :twocents: though.

frnzy · Dec 23, 2009

there are also great chances for LOR (which is required for some nursing program).

Excellent example of why a smaller class can be more advantageous!!

[Though ~if~ you really kiss prestigious Uni professor's hiney (if they don't moonlight at the CC, I mean) that's a LOR that can make a HUGE difference if you're trying to get into prestigious nursing program... Don't construe this to mean I recommend Universities. I highly recommend quality CCs. There are tons of great CC classes out there.]

RNCEN · Dec 24, 2009

I went to the University of Delaware for my undergrad work in the mid '90's, so I am familiar with the level of difficulty at a decent school. I am taking pre-reqs now at a local CC, and I can tell you that the science classes are demanding. Perhaps the Nutrition and psych was not as challenging, but overall, the quality of education I am getting is great. Not a large difference from the first go 'round, IMO.