Two-year colleges exist in all parts of the country. There are trade colleges, and private schools that house associate degree programs. There are also Community Colleges - which for the most part offer two-year degrees that are transferrable into a bachelor degree program.
Example of a Trade College - New England Technical Institute
Example of a Private College with many Associate Degree Tracks - Dean College
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List of Community Colleges in MA (15 in total)
Our most local community college - Mass Bay Community College
There are many HUGE benefits of starting at a community college. Here are just some to consider:
If you are unsure what you would like to study for the long-term just yet, you may start at a community college and get your general education electives done at a FRACTION of the cost; while providing yourself the time to investigate if you would like to pursue a bachelors degree, and if so - in what.
You do not need letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, or an essay in order to apply to a Community College - you simply need to be on track to graduate.
The application to a Community College is (usually) FREE and quick to fill out.
Through the Mass Transfer Program, you may transfer upwards of 60 credits into a state 4-year college or university, and continue on toward earning your bachelors degree -- all without ever taking the SAT or ACT. Check out the Mass Transfer Website for more details. Not only will you save a tremendous amount of money for your first 2 years of college, if you also earn a B in your major, you may get a cut on your tuition at the following school in the MA Public College/University System.
You start with a fresh transcript at a community college. This will give you an opportunity to reinvent yourself. If you had difficulties in high school, this will allow you to take advantage of on-campus supports, take classes over the course of various semesters (instead of the typical fall & spring), and have the flexibility to do college the way you would like to. It is quite all right to take your time.
Future employers look at where you earned your terminal degree - as in, the final degree earned. There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting at Mass Bay Community College, and completing your bachelors degree at Framingham State or UMASS Amherst, as examples. Employers will see that you graduated from FSU or UMASS Amherst in the end. It is totally up to you. A community college may be the exact fit you are looking for.