The Golden Trident

By Kamryn Casebeer

Photo courtesy of Hailey Bland 

As students go through the years of high school, they have to think about where they want to go to college, or if they want to go at all. When thinking about college, there are many different options to choose from, such as going to a university or community college, going to an in-state school or an out-of-state school, or even branching out to somewhere else. Some students decide not to further their education through college after high school. According to the Education Data Initiative, the amount of high school graduates that enrolled in college has decreased 11.6% since 2009.

Around 31.8% of Colorado high school graduates leave the state to attend college, which tends to be more expensive than going to an in-state college due to the fact that when you move to another state for school, the students have not contributed to the operations of public institutions of the state with their taxes, which creates a higher tuition rate. Currently in Colorado, there are over 340,000 students enrolled in college, both in-state and out-of-state. 

According to College Raptor, the top college to be enrolled in Colorado is the University of Colorado Boulder, with an acceptance rate of 81.2% and an enrollment count of 39,000. CU Boulder also has a very energetic student life, with activities like going to football games and concerts at Folsom Field, to fraternities and sororities. 

The runner-up to CU is Colorado State University in Fort Collins, with an acceptance rate of 88.6%, and an enrollment count of 34,110. Having these two colleges as the top two spots for Colorado makes sense, as they tend to be the most common and competitive choices for Colorado high school graduates. CSU also tends to be a cheaper option, with an average net price of $19,282, which can play a factor in deciding students. 

The area of the college that you want to go to can also raise some questions that you have to think about. Are you going to bring a car? Is there a grocery store within walking distance? Are you going to get a job? Do you have the option to live off campus? How far of a walk are your classes? If these questions alone make you unsure about college, there are other options for you, such as community college. Some things that can draw eyes to community college are things like lower costs, GPAs/high school transcripts, flexible schedules for work schedules, etc. 

There is also the option to study at a community college first and then go to a university. Some positives of going to community college can include no on-campus dorms, which can save around $11,000 per year. Tuition costs are also substantially lower. If you’re looking for smaller class sizes or easier access to help, community colleges can be a good fit. 

Sometimes, academic pressure can affect the decision-making process of college in general. Some students have families that expect them to study at a university due to their past, where they have studied, or even what career they want or expect their student to pursue. Some students may even be embarrassed to go to community college while all of their peers are pursuing their education at universities. 

While a university may be the best choice for students that want to study business, health professions, or even social studies, some students are more interested in studying more hands-on professions like electrical, plumbing, welding, or even automotive, which is where trade school would be a good fit for them. Trade schools are often shorter than a four-year degree and can lead to certificates, diplomas, or an associates degree. Trade schools can help prepare for careers by using specialized programs in a shorter duration. 

High school graduates may even choose to go into the military workforce to learn more life skills rather than sitting in a classroom. This can look like looking to find a sense of purpose to protect their country, take opportunities to travel and experience other cultures, all while learning discipline and responsibility. There are other benefits to entering this workforce, such as professional training to enter the police force, reduced or eliminated college debt, loan repayment, and financial stability. 

Whether you choose to go to college right after high school, or take a year to work or travel, or study in other ways, education will always be there in many different ways, whether it is a university, community college, or even a trade school. Making these decisions doesn’t come lightly because it will affect your future, so when you’re deciding, slow down, find support, and don’t go through this process alone to make it just a little easier on yourself.