By Sophia Jimenez, JRN 111 Student
Scared, overwhelmed, and unsure if higher education is even possible for them. That’s how many students feel in light of the current U.S. economy and President Donald Trump’s actions dismantling the Department of Education.
With escalating tuition costs, intimidating student debt, and the uncertainty of Pell Grants, community college is becoming more enticing for young adults to get their foot into higher education.
“I felt no direction,” said Moraine Valley student Julia LeCompte, “I came here mainly for financial reasons, and to work towards my associate’s.”
Enrollment is up 5 percent in the spring of 2025 at Moraine Valley, and community colleges across the Chicagoland area are also seeing an increase, according to Sadya Khan, Moraine Valley’s executive director of institutional research, planning and effectiveness. As of April 30, summer enrollment is up 11 percent from last year.
The cost of a three-credit hour course at Moraine Valley Community College is $477, compared to thousands of dollars at universities such as Illinois State ($4,814) and Saint Xavier ($2,770), according to College Board Research.
For an average class workload of 15 credit hours, that translates into $2,385 per semester at Moraine Valley, whereas an Illinois State University student would pay $24,070.
For an average class workload of 15 credit hours, a student at Moraine Valley Community College would pay $2,385 per semester, whereas an Illinois State University student would pay $24,070.
Community colleges offer low tuition rates, making them accessible to a wider demographic. This significant difference allows students to pursue higher education without accumulating substantial debt.
President Trump’s freezes of government spending on universities are becoming another factor of anxiety for students and their families. Experts say choosing colleges with tuitions that match their value will become increasingly difficult.
“The Trump administration’s ongoing assault on American higher education has all but guaranteed one thing: college students and their parents will now get less—fewer faculty, research opportunities, student services and amenities—for the same (or higher) price,” writes Emma Whitford at Forbes.
President Trump’s disassembly of the Department of Education is also worrisome because it distributes Pell Grants based on FAFSA. Many students rely on these grants to be able to afford higher education.
“While the funds for those grants wouldn’t go away with an executive order, there is a potential for students to see disruptions if the grants were to be managed by another department or by a smaller ED staff,” the website Best Colleges reports. “If federal student loans face disruptions, students may move to private lenders, where they may be subject to higher interest rates and fewer repayment or forgiveness options.”
Past numbers show notable correlations between economic instability and increases in community college enrollment. The United States Census Bureau found that during the Great Recession, community college enrollment was up from 2006-2011.
The flexibility of community college
In addition to the financial benefits, community colleges also cater to a diverse student body, including people who are already employed. With flexible scheduling, online courses and support services, higher education becomes more accessible to those balancing multiple responsibilities.
“I have a part-time job while going to school,” says radiology student Alexandra Gutierrez.
However, students who recently graduated high school make up 42 percent of the student body, according to Normah Salleh-Barone, vice president of student development. In 2023, recent graduates at Moraine Valley numbered 4,683 out of a student population of 11,144.
Community colleges are a good option for students like LaCompte, still unsure of their plans after high school. Students can explore different courses and discover more about themselves without spending a small fortune on tuition.
“Every semester, many students change their program of study,” Salleh-Barone said.
According to Salleh-Barone, the popular dual credit programs allow high school students to have easy access to classes that give them a head start on college.
Many of these students continue at a community college after high school, she said: “34 percent of dual-credit-enrolled students come to Moraine.”
Community colleges’ experience in online education, part-time schedules and night classes caters to students who work part time or full time to pay for classes. As remote work and less-traditional learning styles become more normalized, the flexibility of community colleges continues to be a strong pull.
By providing a more gradual and supportive transition from high school to higher education, community colleges reduce stress and uncertainty. With smaller class sizes and reachable faculty and staff, students often find it easier to ask questions, get help and build confidence in their academic abilities. For many, this experience and foundation built at community college becomes a steppingstone towards success, whether they choose to transfer to a four-year university or enter the workforce directly.
However, today’s economic instability is causing new stress for students about finding jobs after they graduate.
“Businesses thrive on predictability,” writes Jack Kelly in Forbes. “Right now, that’s in short supply. Instead of expanding their workforce, it’s reasonable to see that many companies will choose to wait until the dust settles, opting to see how things play out before making any hiring decisions,”
Community colleges such as Moraine Valley offer academic advising, career counseling and other student support services and resources that help guide students in discovering their passions and strengths. This exploratory phase helps young adults who may feel pressured to commit to a major or career path too early.
Moraine Valley alum Ethan Holesha is a walking success story of the helpfulness of Moraine’s academic guidance. Holesha was sure he was going into engineering until he realized that it wasn’t the best choice for him.
Holesha then met with a Moraine counselor who encouraged a different path: “She’s like, ‘Well what do you like?’ and I’m like, ‘Well, I love sports,’ and she’s like, ‘Well, what are your strong suits in school?’ and I said, ‘Writing,’ and she’s like, ‘Well, why don’t you think about becoming a journalist?’ and I’m like, ‘OK. You know, that sounds good.’”
After taking the journalism courses at Moraine Valley, he found his passion. Holesha then went on to major in journalism at the University of Illinois, and he is now a reporter for CBS affiliate WCIA news.
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The transfer procedure provided by community colleges is an increasingly strategic route for students who want a four-year degree. Moraine’s transfer center has agreements with at least nine public universities and 20 private ones. This path allows students to complete their general education requirements at a lower cost before transferring, significantly reducing the overall expense of a degree. As awareness of these opportunities grows, students and families are more inclined to start their higher educational journey at a community college.
Today, students are choosing community colleges over universities for a variety of reasons that reflect the challenges and values of the current times. As the nation continues to struggle with economic uncertainty, student debt, and the value in education, the role of community colleges may continue to expand.
For students worried about potential “disruptions to the timely disbursement of financial aid funds,” Best Colleges advises getting a jump on things: “Experts suggest filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to get ahead of the curve.”
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