As more and more people are falling into debt from taking out big loans to go to college, other options are coming to the forefront. For complex areas of study, choosing a community college might not be at the top of one’s mind but it is becoming an increasingly viable option.

Community colleges enroll more than eight million students each year, and 43 percent of all U.S. undergraduates, according to the American Society for Engineering Education.

Save that Money

One of the more common reasons is to save money. Completing an entire degree at a four-year school, often private, can become very expensive and be a debt to pay for years after completion. The average in-state tuition for community colleges is $3,660 per year, a fraction of most four-year schools, according to collegeboard.org. Most programs require general education and core classes and a community college can be an economical way to get those classes out of the way, leaving students with time and money for more specialized learning down the road.

Unforeseen Advantages

Community colleges often have a wide array of offerings because they have to appeal to many kinds of students. Due to this, they are likely to offer specialized certificate programs or access to internships. Some examples of a certificate might be learning a software program like Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), leadership programs, cybersecurity or small business management. While these things may not be the focus of someone’s entire career, having a healthy level of knowledge can make a candidate more appealing to hiring managers or companies.

These kinds of certificates can also benefit people who already have advanced degrees. For example, someone looking to be hired by a cybersecurity company might find that a certificate program can be an excellent way to stand out from other applicants.

Two is Plenty

Associates degrees and other two-year programs are also in demand. Programs that develop technical skills for maintenance, installation, HVAC or production departments are always in need. For a person who doesn’t want an office job, this could be an excellent route. Large companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Apple don’t necessarily require a four-year degree anymore. Many of these jobs are in demand and pay well too. Diverse Education reports that an entry-level aerospace engineering professional with a two-year degree may earn an average salary of $58,000.

Sharpen Soft Skills

A community college’s student body is often diverse and it brings together people from different lifestyles. Some people are right out of high school, some are adult students making a career or life change. Being in classes or other campus activities with people different than yourself is a way to sharpen soft skills, sometimes colloquially dubbed “people skills.” These are hard to teach with a strict curriculum but they are crucial for any career path.

Engineering is a challenging but rewarding area of study and work and there are many different avenues one can pursue. There is no right answer but there are many factors to consider based on the vision for life each student has.