Alexis Sia 2016-46051 Research Outline

4-year College vs. 2-year College

Thesis statement: Attending a 4-year college, also called university, is more beneficial
and covers a broader aspect to enhance an individuals standard way of life, particularly
in education and career.

I. This part serves as the introduction of the paper.

A. History
1. College is said to be the preeminent path to take after graduating high
school and there is an abundance of college options, namely 4-year
college and 2-year college.

B. Rationale/Problem: There is a need to study these college alternatives in

order to scrutinize the aspects that can be beneficial to an individual and also,
to perceive which alternative is preeminent than the other.

C. Research Question: What is a better college alternative, 4-year college or 2

year-college?
1. 4-year colleges have a variety of course offerings and broader curriculums
which can help students pursue the vocation they want and it can enhance
their career potential.
2. 4-year colleges are expensive and there is a competition for admission,
but they have a high value for cost-effectiveness compared to 2-year
colleges.
3. There a rapid enhancement in the social and character development
aspect of an individual in 4-year colleges due to more people, meaning
more interaction, and numerous organizations and activities.

D. Objective: This study aims to expound on the college alternatives and which
is more beneficial to students.

E. Definition of Key concepts

1. 4-year colleges, also known as university, focus on students planning to
complete a bachelors degree or graduate school and its courses are
usually distinct to what vocation the student desires.
2. 2-year colleges, also known as community college, focus on students
planning to complete an associate degree or establish a vocational
interest and its courses are more on general education requirements.

F. Scope and Limitations: This study is only concerned with the advantages and
disadvantages of the college alternatives.
G. Review of Related Literature
1. Robert L. Morgan (2016) explains that 4-year colleges focus, also known
as university, on students planning to complete a bachelors degree or
graduate school, while, 2-year colleges, also known as community
college, focus on students planning to complete an associate degree or
establish a vocational interest.
2. Lisa Anne Rodriguez (2008) explains that majority of Hispanics are
concentrated in community colleges for reasons of cost, proximity to
family, and flexibility in schedules.
3. The Korea Educational Longitudinal Study (KELS) 2011 data on high
school-to-college transition reveals that 49% of high school graduates
attended 4-year colleges, while only 25% attended 2-year colleges.
4. According to Robert L. Morgan and Tim Riesen (2016), 40.2% of the
general population enrolled at a four-year college, while only 20.6%
attended 2-year community college.
5. The average annual median income for adults who have associates
degrees is approximately $13,000 less per year than adults who have
bachelors degrees ($32,900 vs. $45,700), or $500,000 less in estimated
lifetime earnings (U.S. Department of Labor, 2002).
6. As I cite David L. Leal and Stephen J. Trejo in their book Latinos and the
Economy: Integration and Impact in Schools, Labor Markets, and Beyond,
I examine whether starting at a 2-year college and transferring to a 4-year
college is a better strategy than initially enrolling in a 4-year college.
Although not casual, the evidence suggests that first generation college
students that enroll in 4-year college do better than those that enroll in 2-
year colleges (2011).
7. Robert L. Morgan and Tim Riesen explain that, 4-year colleges have
multiple opportunities for integration and inclusion in campus activities,
variety of course offerings, and numerous social groups and
organizations. However, they are less prevalent so accessibility may be
limited; relocation may be necessary; admission requirements and high
cost may be prohibitive (2016).
8. Robert L. Morgan and Tim Riesen explain that, Admission requirements
of 2-year colleges are usually less rigorous than 4-year institutions. Most
2-year colleges are open admission. Students in need of academic
preparation can take developmental coursework, although the options are
not as plentiful as in 4-year institutions. Two-year colleges are usually
nonresidential institutions. Students usually live at home or on their own in
the community (2016).

H. Significance of the Study: This study will further explain the advantages and
disadvantages of 4-year colleges and 2-year colleges.
 I. Methodology
1. This study uses qualitative research paradigm and the research design
study is descriptive.
2. The data were gathered through library and online research and an
interview.
3. The data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive analysis.
4. The data was evaluated through researchers and experts opinion.

J. Research Ethics: The information gathered has full consent from the research
participants and they are not at risk. The research participants are kept
anonymous and confidential and they have the right to withdraw. Deceptive
practices are not applicable in this research.

K. Organization of the Study

1. Part I is the introduction to the study.
2. Part II contains the presentation of data.
3. Part III consists of analysis and evaluation of the data presented.
4. Part IV contains the conclusion and recommendations of the study.

II. This part serves as the presentation of data.

A. 4-year colleges have a variety of course offerings and broader curriculums
which can help students pursue the vocation they want and it can enhance
their career potential.
1. According to Christina Couch (n.d.), Those who want a well-rounded
education and a flexible degree. While four-year students are required to
take a much broader range of courses than two-year vocational students,
four-year students graduate with degrees that can be used for a wide
spectrum of jobs in the real world.
2. According to Neil Kokemuller (n.d.), The degrees offered at two-year
community colleges or trade schools are distinct from those offered at a
four-year school. Two-year schools offer liberal arts associate degrees or
associate degrees in vocational areas, such as marketing, business
administration or criminal justice. You can also earn shorter-term
certificates or diplomas to enter work in certain fields. Four-year schools
offer bachelor's degrees, which include general education and program-
specific courses to prepare students for entry-level careers in a field of
study.
3. According to Sean Logan (n.d.), Most employers now look at a four-year
degree at the starting point in their hiring process. The beauty of a four-
year degree is, its going to really, I think, prepare you in a lot of different
areas. Things like graduate programs in medical school, law school,
business school, those sorts of things. It also allows you to go into a whole
 host, probably the spectrum of jobs that are out there, a four-year degree
is sort of that starting point to get into those different areas.
4. According to and Khan Academy and Sean Logan (n.d.), The four-year
degree really gives you a lot of flexibility after you finished, whereas as the
two-year degree is really flexible, in part, while youre doing the degree
itself. Its going to be a little bit more limiting. There wont be as many job
opportunities. Theres lot of job opportunities that are very much suited for
an AA degree, but theres going to be definitely a limit in terms of all these
other opportunities that are really looking for a four-year degree.

B. 4-year colleges are expensive and there is a competition for admission, but
they have a high value for cost-effectiveness compared to 2-year colleges.
1. According to Christopher Marsilio (2015), A four year university is the
most cost effective way, than that of a two-year institution, to ensure a
solid career. Four year universities offer a minimum degree that
guarantees an average of $13,000 more than those who graduate from a
two-year university. This displays the appeal of four-year universities.
While the cost can be a burden to some families, the return of the tuition
onto a graduates future is almost guaranteed to be positive. This is a
decision that most students would not want to miss out on.
2. According to Education Corner (n.d.), Across the board, community
college is much more affordable. The average tuition is half that of a public
university. Part of this is because community colleges are stripped down,
avoiding things like big campus infrastructure and extracurricular
programs that increase the overhead at large universities.

C. There a rapid enhancement in the social and character development aspect

of an individual in 4-year colleges due to more people, meaning more
interaction, and numerous organizations and activities.
1. According to Christina Couch (n.d.), This is where four-year institutions
shine. In addition to in-class learning, four-year institutions offer an
enormous spectrum of on- and off-campus learning opportunities. On
campus you can attend performances, cultural events, and guest lecture
series, as well as participate in student-run clubs and honor societies.
Students also go off campus for service-learning projects, study abroad
trips, internships, cooperative education programs, and field trips.
2. According to Education Corner (n.d.), This is one area where large
universities will always have community colleges beat. Most community
colleges dont invest as much in campus facilities, athletic programs, and
student clubs/organizations. That makes it more affordable, but many
students feel the need to have the college experience, which includes
living in student dorms and participating in campus life.
 III. This part serves as the analysis of data.
A. Based on the data presented in indicated A, the hypothesis that a 4-year
college has a better curriculum and more course offerings than a 2-year
college is accepted for the following reasons:
1. Comparison of curriculum of a 4-year college and a 2-year college
2. Degree of broadness and specificity of the course offerings of 4-year
colleges and 2-year colleges

B. B. Based on the data presented in indicated B, the hypothesis that a 4-

year college is more cost-effective than a 2-year college is accepted for
the following reasons:
1. Comparison of the costs of education in 4-year colleges and 2-year
colleges with respect to resources within the college and the career
achievements of individuals after graduating

C. C. Based on the data presented in indicated C, the hypothesis that a 4-

year college has further development in the social and personality aspects
of an individual than a 2-year college is accepted for the following
reasons:
1. Comparison of on-campus activities of 4-year colleges and 2-year
colleges
2. Degree of interactions in 4-year colleges and 2-year colleges

IV. This part serves as the conclusion.

A. 4-year college has more advantages than 2-year college making it
preeminent due to reaching the standards, especially in education and career,
of an average person
B. I recommend continuing investigation on the college alternatives,
especially based on the information gathered, the benefits are not so much
far from each other.
C. The Academic Cap Model This model explains the pros of the college
alternatives.

Career achievements
More course-offerings

Better curriculum Proximity

On-campus activities Flexible

Cost-effective Low cost

4-year college 2-year college

Although universities and community colleges serve the same purpose, the two differ in
their learning environment, convenience, and admission requirements. ***

I. What is a course (introduction)

When you graduate high school you have your choice of what kind of an education
you want to get. You have your choice of going to a 4-year university, or a 2-year
college. In order to decide you will compare the two and use the comparisons to
come up with your final decision. Questions to ask yourself would be, what are you
looking for in college, how do you want to learn, and how much money do you have
to work with.

One major decsion one must make after exiting high school is whether to go to a
university or stay home and go to community college. Although universities and
community colleges serve the same purpose, the two differ in their learning
environment, convenience, and admission requirements.

II. 2-year course

A. Definition
B. Advantages
C. Disadvantages

III. 4-year course

A. Definition
B. Advantages
C. Disadvantages

IV. What do people prefer more

A. Statistics

V. Experiences

VI. Conclusion

Cost-effectiveness, career aspect, attrition rate,

what are you looking for in college, how do you want to learn, and how much money do
you have to work with
http://studymagazine.com/2010/11/26/college-vs-university/

New sources for paper:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/10/06/study-explores-preparation-and-
outcomes-2-and-4-year-college-students
https://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org/sites/default/files/BTResearch-
4yr_vs_2yr_colleges.pdf
(COMMUNITY COLLEGE) https://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/trends-in-
community-colleges-research-brief.pdf
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/03/05/is-college-for-everyone-an-introduction-and-
timeline-of-college-in-america/
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/03/24/is-college-for-everyone-part-ii-the-pros-and-
cons-of-attending-a-4-year-college/

https://www.khanacademy.org/college-admissions/explore-college-options/college-
search-type-of-college/v/comparing-vocational-vs-2-year-vs-4-year-colleges