Some students anticipate attending a traditional four-year college and living in the institution’s dormitory housing. Others may prefer to live at home or in off-campus housing while taking college classes or receiving adult career training. A commuter college is a college or university that caters primarily to the needs of commuting students. A commuter college provides the instructors, buildings, and support services required to complete a course of study, but not necessarily the dorms, student life centers, or athletic facilities found at traditional colleges.
Although a small community college or private training school may not advertise itself as a commuter school, the majority of its students are local residents who live with their parents or in off-campus apartments. Older students who return to school for additional training or a new degree frequently choose a local college over a distant traditional college that may be too youth-oriented. A commuter school may provide some social activities for students, but its primary focus is on academics.
For students who are not interested in the traditional college lifestyle or experience, a commuter college is often a better financial option. At a traditional four-year college, dormitory housing is often required for at least the freshman year, and it may be the most cost-effective option for the student’s remaining years. For older students or those who prefer more privacy, living in a dormitory is not always a pleasant experience. For students who only want to attend classes and then return to their jobs or private homes, attending a college with no dormitory housing requirements may be a more practical option.
Because they lack the resources of traditional colleges, some commuter colleges only offer a limited number of degrees or specialized training courses. Because there are fewer on-campus distractions, some courses, such as business or accounting, may be easier to take at a commuter college. Fine arts and liberal arts degrees, for example, are often better served at traditional colleges with a more diverse student body. This type of college is frequently used as a less expensive alternative for students who want to be closer to their friends, jobs, and families.