TSC offers a high-quality education, with pathways designed to serve the entire family. Students may choose from more than 50 associate degree programs, certificates, and workforce training courses.
Advantages of Attending a Community College
Save Money – On Tuition
The cost of attending a university has been rising steadily, and many students must take on debt in the course of their studies at a university. Many students are discovering they can save thousands of dollars by enrolling in a community college for the first two years before transferring to a university. Community college tuition and fees are much lower than those at universities, and enrolling in a community college allows students to achieve the same level of academic success at a fraction of the cost. In fact, since 2013 the Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees has lowered tuition and fees by 40% to make TSC the most affordable institution of higher education in the entire Rio Grande Valley.
Save Money – Live at Home
Living on campus in either a dormitory or an apartment can be costly. Dormitory housing can cost as much as $4,000-$5,000 annually. Living at home while attending a community college for the first two years of school can save families thousands of dollars.
Complete Your Basics
Core curriculum courses in the State of Texas are transferable to any public college and university. This means that the high-quality core courses students take at TSC will transfer to any Texas public institution.
Faculty Focus on Teaching
Community college faculty focus exclusively on teaching and providing personal attention to students. Most university faculty, on the other hand are required to spend time away from the classroom to conduct research or publish. Furthermore, students attending a community college are able to gain a real-world perspective from faculty members who usually have practical work experience in the subjects they teach.
Small Class Sizes
Universities may have classes as large as 300-400 students, while community college average class sizes range from 25-35 students. These small class sizes at community colleges provide an atmosphere where students may easily ask questions and talk to their instructors and classmates to help learn new concepts and build relationships.
Improve your Skills
Community colleges offer a wide variety of academic support services to assist students in improving their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, including tutoring, study skills workshops. Students who begin their academic careers at a community college and then transfer to a university are more successful than those who begin their college career at a university.
Latest Technologies
Community colleges work closely with local business and industry and are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, classrooms, and facilities. Students interested in pursuing a career in a cutting-edge field will find innovative opportunities and tools at a community college.
Program Variety
Community colleges offer programs in many fields of study, serving students with a wide variety of interests.
Support Services
Community colleges offer numerous wrap-around support services to help students achieve success, such as academic advising, counseling, and career planning. Support services for students with disabilities may include adapted software or assistive equipment for people with mobility, vision, learning, or hearing disabilities. In addition, Texas Southmost College works closely with local community-based organizations to connect students with services that keep them on track to graduation, including financial assistance, mental health services, healthcare, and access to basic needs.
Flexible Class Schedules
More than 80% of community college students work part-time or full-time jobs, and many have family responsibilities. Community colleges offer flexible options for working students and new parents to enjoy the benefits of education at a pace that fits their busy lives. They offer classes during the day, evening, and sometimes on weekends to accommodate students’ work schedules and family commitments.
One-Year and Two-Year Degrees
Community colleges offer students the option to specialize in a field and enter the workforce after completing a degree in just one or two years. This option appeals to many students who do not have the time or resources to obtain a four-year degree. Additionally, community colleges maintain close working relationships with area employers to assist graduates in securing employment after graduation.