Some 2-year colleges that offer a 4-year experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z2kneDhnuY&feature=player_embedded
When I asked high-school students, parents and school personnel what they thought of community colleges, a number of them didn't think two-year schools provided the "full college experience," which usually includes dorm life, sports, a full array of arts, and so forth.
Parent Diane Raff of Roseville has found out that's not the case.
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Her son wasn't interested in a four-year college, she said, but the nearest metro-are college that offered what he was looking for was too far to commute to. And he wasn't one to be all alone in an apartment off campus near some commuter college. He was looking for more: friends in the dorms, an opportunity to play in a band and hang out with other musicians, and a slew of activities to explore.
High school counselors apparently couldn't help much, she said. So Raff started looking on the Web herself and asking friends what they knew, and slowly compiled a list of affordable two-year institutions -- in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin -- that offer on-campus housing and a full range of activities.
She and her son ended up visiting five before settling on the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton.
Now, she says:
While all his friends have been sweating (over applications) he’s like, 'Yep, I know what I’m doing."
Check out the list she made below. It's all her work, including costs and notes. I've edited it for length, but kept her college blurbs about dorm life and activities:
Minnesota
Colleges with their own on-campus housing:
1) Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids
Tuition: $4,660
Room & Board : $4,560
Enrollment: 1,200
2) Vermilion Community College, Ely
"You can to live in the residence hall and not have to go outside during the winter months."
Tuition: $5,200
Room & Board: $4,940
Enrollment: 800
Colleges with housing agreements with a nearby state university:
Northwest Technical College / Bemidji State University
"Northwest Technical College has a unique partnership with Bemidji State University, giving NTC learners access to campus life services and activities. You can live in the BSU dorms and access the meal plans, health services and recreational activities. BSU is only 10 minutes away."
Tuition: $5,432
Room and board: $6,480
Enrollment: 1,000
Minnesota State Community & Technical College / MN State University Moorhead
Tuition: $5,172
Room & Board: $6,700
Enrollment: 2,000
St. Cloud Technical & Community College / St. Cloud State University
Tuition: $5,248
Room & Board: $6,300
Enrollment: 9,000
Iowa
Many of Iowa’s 15 community colleges offer housing. Although most of Iowa’s colleges do not offer reciprocal tuition for Minnesota residents, their rates are still very reasonable.
Iowa Central Community College - Fort Dodge, IA
"Fully furnished apartment living is provided at Iowa Central with amenities including an adequate-sized kitchen with a range and refrigerator, a living room, a good-sized bath, and two bedrooms all in the midst of campus life. ICC also offers Band, Choir and theater."
Tuition: $5,800
Room & Board; $5,075
Enrollment: 4,000
Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Falls, IA –
"Ellsworth offers more scholarships than is usual for a 2 year college. First-year students must live on campus. NJCAA athletics program includes men’s baseball, basketball, wrestling and golf."
Tuition: $5,730
Room & Board: $4,900
Enrollment: 1,000
http://www.iavalley.cc.ia.us/ecc/
Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA
"The NJCAA athletics program offers 7 sports for both men and women. The college offers theater, dance, art and music. Housing options include traditional dorm and apartments/suites."
Tuition: $4,500
Room & Board: $5,200 - $7,400
Enrollment: 5,000
North Dakota
In North Dakota, 4 year colleges are called universities. Schools in the state system of two year/technical colleges are called state colleges. All of North Dakota’s state colleges offer housing.
North Dakota State College of Science – Wahpeton, ND
"For more than a century, NDSCS has maintained a unique blend of academic programs and campus life. Beyond the wide variety of career and technical education and liberal arts transfer programs, NDSCS has extensive facilities and organizations for a wide range of student activities. This blended atmosphere of instruction and extracurricular activities prepares the student for more than a specific field of study, providing lifelong learning and leadership experiences. Participation in student government, clubs, music, drama, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, professional and occupational organizations and campus social events can make NDSCS an exciting experience.
First year students must live on campus. NJCAA athletics program includes Men’s Baseball, Basketball and Football, Women’s Basketball, Softball and Volleyball. Band, choir and theater group meet in the early evening so that students from all majors can participate."
Tuition/Fees: $4,173
Room & Board: $5,076
Enrollment: 2,400
Lake Region State College
Tuition/Fees: $3,908
Room/Board: $5,750
Enrollment: 1,700
Dakota College at Bottineau
NJCAA athletics program includes men’s ice hockey, baseball, basketball and football, women’s basketball, softball and volleyball.
Tuition/Fees: $5,119
Room & Board: $4,612
Enrollment: 700 students
Bismarck State College – 4,000 students http://www.bismarckstate.edu/
Williston State College – 900 students http://www.wsc.nodak.edu/
Wisconsin:
Western Technical College, La Crosse
"NJCAA athletics include men’s basketball and baseball, women’s basketball and volleyball. Housing is limited but up-to-date: 200 students live in the new suite style dorm. Located near the UW La Crosse campus, WTC students have access to some of the UW-La Crosse facilities."
Tuition: $4,087
Room & Board: $5,170
Enrollment: 4,000
Note: All information in this guide is based on prices and programs offered for the 2010-11 academic year. Prices are based on an average student’s costs. Your costs may be different than those listed. Contact the colleges you are interested in for complete and up-to-date information.