CCs have a whole different mission than Universities: They serve the (ahem) community more or less directly and immediately. Universities serve the society of universities more or less directly. Both important, but for different reasons. Our CC serves to let locals get the first two years of a 4 year degree for a LOT less money. It teaches practical skills from book keeping to carpentry to nursing and more. And it takes up where highschool left off for the folks who just want a little more… and who need to take courses outside regular working hours. We have one of each in our slightly extended community and it’s VERY clear that they coexist well by filling in the weak spots in each other’s system.
CCs have a whole different mission than Universities: They serve the (ahem) community more or less directly and immediately. Universities serve the society of universities more or less directly. Both important, but for different reasons. Our CC serves to let locals get the first two years of a 4 year degree for a LOT less money. It teaches practical skills from book keeping to carpentry to nursing and more. And it takes up where highschool left off for the folks who just want a little more… and who need to take courses outside regular working hours. We have one of each in our slightly extended community and it’s VERY clear that they coexist well by filling in the weak spots in each other’s system.