Don't understand programs at different colleges

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm in my mid 20's and I want to take an IT/Networking & Security program at college. I've been looking at 4 local colleges and I am very confused.</p>

<p>I'm looking at a 2 year public community college, a 4 year public college, a 2 year (I think) private non-profit college, and a 2 year (I think) private for-profit technology college.</p>

<p>The problem is that the IT/Networking & Security programs differ at each college. With the technology college, I could get an associate of applied science degree in 19 months. I wouldn't have to take classes like PE or science classes - mostly just classes that relate to the IT program. At the other three colleges, I'd have to take PE, science, and a bunch of other unrelated classes. I'd also have to take more classes, I think. The faculty at the technology college is very helpful. They seem genuinely concerned about my education and they can provide job assisstance. They also provide free tutoring and various other services. I don't know however, if their credits transfer over to a 4 year college.</p>

<p>At the other colleges, I think their programs are called Information Systems Technology programs. You can get one of three degrees: Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, and Bachelor of Science. I think they also have Networking certificates that you can get to go along with the program.</p>

<p>The tuition is also a concern for me. The 2 year community college is cheapest and the technology college is highest by $8000. I don't have money, I don't have a job, I don't want to have to work while going to college, and my family doesn't have the money. Even with financial aid, I'm fairly certain I couldn't afford the technology college.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any suggestions? Are technology colleges better if I'm interested in IT/Networking & Security? The college is called ECPI, if anyone knows anything about it please let me know. I haven't been able to find one bad review about it. I have found many bad reviews for ITT Tech but I don't think ECPI is as widespread as ITT Tech.</p>

2

<p>Another possibility is Capella University which has an online 4 year degree in IT/Networking & Security. That about exhaust any knowledge in this area.</p>

3

<p>get into one of the Cisco Certified programs, often offered thru a community college or local job training site. See <a href="http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html&lt;/a> or look at the offerings from your local CC.</p>

<p>You don't need a college degree at this point (although you might decide its worth pursuing one later), you need vocational training so you can get a job and support yourself.</p>

4

<p>i beg to differ. if you are living with your family and they are cool with it, take advantage and go for the 4 year. Deliver pizzas or work at a mcJob for a while if you have to. If you all can't afford it, you should be able to recieve all kinds of financial aid. Spend it in the right place.</p>

<p>Whatever you do DON'T get an AAS, if you decide you want to go on with a bachelors later, it won't transfer and you'll have to work back up from almost zero again. If you go to a 2 year and get a general AA or AS in a transfer program, then you can use that to build on later.</p>