Why should I go to college?




To gain a competitive edge in work and life

It’s why most people go to college. But big questions remain. Like what to study, where to go, and is college worth the cost?



Why go to community college?

To help you decide, explore 9 reasons why attending a community college like CLC is a good idea.

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" who can answer questions about going to college, guide you through career & program exploration and help you get started at CLC.

Talk to a CCN

Smiling students at CLC

1. You’ll make more money

Going to community college gets you a bigger paycheck. With an associate degree, you typically earn 13% more than someone with a high school education. Over a lifetime of working full time, you earn $495,000 more.

Two women sitting at table having a discussion

2. You'll save money

More people are enrolling at community colleges like CLC. Why? Staying close to home is a great value compared to living on campus at a public 4-year school, which costs $26,146 a year on average.

To save money, many students start at CLC and then transfer to a 4-year school. Associate degrees and career certificates are affordable and let you work while you learn. To help pay for college, CLC has financial aid, scholarships, internships and apprenticeships.

Nursing student listening to another student's heartbeat

3. You'll get a good job

By 2031, 72% of jobs in the U.S. will require more than a high school education. The associate degree or career certificate you earn at CLC qualifies you for a good job.

Employers recognize the excellent education you get at CLC. They want to hire CLC graduates. CLC helps you find a job. In fact, 78% of graduates of the Class of 2023 were employed within one year of graduating. CLC also prepares you to transfer to a 4-year school.

Student working on electrical equipment

4. You'll stay employed

You are less likely to lose your job if you have an associate degree or some college education vs a high school education. This is true even during economic recessions. CLC prepares you for jobs valued by employers.

Student practicing welding skills

5. You’ll have options in high-demand fields

Choose from 170+ degree and certificate programs in nine areas of study at CLC. Programs are high quality. Some you can complete in less than a year. Instructors are experts who have real-world experience in their fields. In 2023, 19 employers offered 69 apprenticeships to CLC students.

Female student standing at table, talking to college rep

6. You’ll transfer to a 4-year school

If your goal is to get a bachelor's degree, starting at CLC is a smart choice. You'll save money and be more prepared to succeed at university.

Your Academic Success Advisor helps you transfer to the 4-year school of your choice. Transfer guides by college and major, articulation agreements and Guaranteed Transfer Agreements (GTA) make it easy.

Male and female students seated at table, smiling

7. You’ll find applying free and easy

Applying to college can be a big deal. Compared to 4-year schools, the process at CLC is a lot less stressful. It's free, fast and requires no essay.

Your dedicated College and Career Navigator answers questions and sets you up for success. Once classes start, your Academic Success Advisor steps in to help you stay on track to achieve your college goals.

Student and faculty member smiling at recognition ceremony

8. You'll be seen and heard

You'll get personal attention and feedback from instructors at CLC. You won’t attend class with hundreds of students like at big schools. Instead, classes have about 15 students on average.

Many academic resources and support services are available to help you be successful.

Students signing up for activity

9. You’ll learn about yourself and find your people

CLC is a safe and welcoming place to learn. Here, you can network, explore your interests, and meet new people from all over the world. Student life is vibrant at CLC.

Students share why they chose CLC


  • Photo of Za'Tozia Duffie

    Za’Tozia Duffie

    Transfer student

    CLC set the standard for every educational institution I attended afterwards. I don't think I would have been able to grow academically, or even personally, if it wasn't for CLC.”


    Za’Tozia studied communication at CLC. She transferred to Lake Forest College for her bachelor's degree and then to Syracuse University for graduate school.

    Read Za’Tozia's story

    Photo of Za'Tozia Duffie
  • Photo of Kamden Kuklinski

    Kamden Kuklinski

    Transfer student

    “CLC was a really good option for me. I think it was the perfect way to go because it was very affordable. The smaller class sizes and community feel definitely made it feel like home.”


    Kamden studied biological sciences at CLC, then transferred to Lake Forest College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He works at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis doing biomedical research as he prepares for graduate school.

    Read Kamden's story

    Photo of Kamden Kuklinski
  • Chad Holt, CLC student

    Chad Holt

    Adult Learner

    "I have a lot of technical skills, but I didn't have the formal education side. I've connected a lot of dots (in this program), and it's really helped me to polish and hone my skills."


    Chad is a full-time employee striving to earn two (2) associate degrees in automation, robotics and mechatronics and mechanical engineering technology. His goal is to upskill and get ahead of tech advancements in his field.

    Read Chad's story

    Chad Holt, CLC student
  • Photo of CLC graduate Elizabeth Cannon

    Elizabeth Cannon

    Graduate

    At CLC, I didn’t just learn from instructors but from industry professionals. They know what employers are looking for, and they teach with that mindset.”


    Elizabeth was a Legal Studies student at CLC. She then earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College of Missouri and a law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law.

    Read Elizabeth's story

    Photo of CLC graduate Elizabeth Cannon
  • Photo of Kenneth Dante

    Kenneth Dantes

    Transfer student

    "It felt like a community because there were actually those teachers that have time for you. During class, I knew I could have that relationship with them."


    Kenneth studied literature at CLC, then transferred to Elmhurst University. While at CLC, he worked on film projects in and around Chicago to gain experience and build his network. He now works in Los Angeles as a background production assistant for major streaming shows.

    Read Kenneth's story

    Photo of Kenneth Dante
  • Photo of student in welding and fabrication class

    Kyle Thorne

    Graduate

    "While I love the space and equipment, it was the instructors that kept me at CLC. They helped make sure I learned the right way, and I had fun doing it."


    Kyle took welding and fabrication classes at the CLC Grayslake campus and Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee. He then started his own mobile welding business. Kyle is one of many CLC graduates bringing their skills to the world of manufacturing.

    Read Kyle's story

    Photo of student in welding and fabrication class
  • Photo of Riley Pemstein

    Riley Pemstein

    Transfer student

    Transferring is a challenging process, but CLC did a great job making it smooth. The fantastic academic success advisors prioritized me having my schedule right so I had the classes to transfer where I wanted to go.”


    Riley took general education courses at CLC. He then transferred to University of Illinois Urbana-Campaign to study accounting. He now works as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

    Read Riley's story

    Photo of Riley Pemstein
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Why should you choose CLC...

Am I ready for college?

It’s common to have doubts about going to college. The good news is you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Just take it one step at a time at CLC.

How does CLC help me to afford college?

It’s true! There are many ways for you to earn a debt-free degree or certificate.

How will CLC help me to be successful?

Explore the many free ways we support your personal journey, education and well-being.

How will I balance school with work/life?

CLC focuses on a multi-faceted approach to keep all aspects of your life in equilibrium. We’ll help you make sure you have enough time to do everything you need to tackle in a day.

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