American higher educationIn the United States, students can choose to go to college after high school. (They can also choose to go straight to the workforce after high school.) They have the option of attending a two-year community college before applying to a four-year university. Admission to community college is easier, tuition is lower, and class sizes are often smaller than at a university. Community college students can earn an associate degree and transfer up to two years of course credits to a university.