April 29, 2026
In 2024, Lily Zamora was a high-achieving senior at Overland High School preparing to become the first in her family to attend college. Like many students, she initially believed a four-year university was the only option.
I originally wasn’t planning to go to community college. That just wasn’t in my plans because I had always been an honors student and always thought I should go to a university,
Zamora said. But the two biggest reasons I chose the Community College of Aurora [CCA] were, first, the financial aspects. In case I did for some reason have to pay out-of-pocket, I didn’t want it to be that much on me or on my parents. And the second reason was because I’ve actually had family members already attend CCA and they’ve said it’s pretty great.
For many high school graduates, the path to higher education can feel uncertain, navigating cost, access, and opportunity. At CCA, students are finding a different path forward: one that delivers high-quality education, robust support, and meaningful savings.
Zamora quickly discovered CCA’s support resources that are comparable to those offered at four-year institutions. She became involved in student organizations, including the leadership-based Fox LEADS club, and participated in academic support programs like TRIO. Now in her final year, she’s gaining hands-on experience through a work-study position aligned with her career goals.
Better Access to Opportunity At A Realistic Cost
Opportunities like Zamora’s are often associated with traditional universities, but community colleges offer similar experiences at a significantly lower cost. As of 2023, 49.3% of Colorado’s bachelor’s degree graduates carried student loan debt, compared to just 29.3% of CCA graduates.
Affordability at CCA continues to expand through strong local partnerships. Both Cherry Creek School District and Aurora Public Schools provide free college courses through concurrent enrollment programs. Initiatives like the Momentum Scholarship and the Commerce City Promise program can also reduce the cost of attendance to $0.
I would tell my past self that community college may seem like it’s a lesser version of a university, but in reality it’s not. It’s honestly the same, and if you were to compare them, I would prefer community college,
said Zamora. Community colleges have fewer students, and that makes it easier for teachers and staff to help them one-on-one. CCA has so many resources and opportunities that you can be a part of a lot easier because the pool is smaller.
Another CCA student, Tharanjan (TJ) Sorupanathan, experiences similar benefits. His participation in the STEM summer bridge program in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder helped him secure an internship at the university’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics last summer. He has also held two work-study positions at CCA and was named a presidential scholar last fall. He credits these achievements, in part, to being in CCA’s relatively smaller pool of students.
One of the biggest perks of going to community college is that they have so many resources that are open to you,
said Sorupanathan. Having less students for the school to manage allows CCA to be able to give more resources to more students. That’s something I benefited from a lot…I’m able to connect with staff and professors at a closer level.
More Freedom to Explore Education Pathways
Both Zamora and Sorupanathan plan to transfer to four-year universities after completing their associate degrees. By completing general education coursework at CCA, they are positioned to earn bachelor’s degrees more efficiently and at a lower cost.
CCA provides some of the most robust transfer opportunities in the state,
said CCA Provost and Vice President of Academic Success Dr. Bobby Pace. We have direct transfer pathways with just about every institution in the state. Whether students know exactly what major they want to pursue or they want to explore options, we have a program for them.
Community colleges, like CCA, intentionally design academic programs to support seamless transfer. This approach gives students the flexibility to explore different academic and career options before committing to a long-term path.
Since high school, Sorupanathan has explored CCA’s cinematic arts programs, the computer science program, and not pursuing higher education at all.
I had some questions before I decided to attend CCA,
said Sorupanathan. Dr. [Susan] Young, [Dean of Academic Success in STEM] said I could graduate in two years, and I didn’t understand that concept at first – I thought college took four years. But she explained how an associate degree works and how you can transfer whenever you want as long as you complete the classes you need.
Conversations with CCA instructor Sam Meleika helped Sorupanathan find his direction in mechanical engineering. When he transfers to the University of Colorado Boulder next year, he’ll do so with confidence in his chosen path.
Community colleges like CCA serve as a powerful bridge between high school and four-year institutions, offering affordability, flexibility and opportunity without sacrificing quality. For students and families navigating the rising cost of higher education, CCA represents a smart, strategic starting point.
As Community College Month highlights the impact of these institutions nationwide, stories like Zamora’s and Sorupanathan’s underscore a simple truth: community college is not a fallback option. It is a forward-thinking choice that empowers students to achieve their goals, reduce financial burden, and build a strong foundation for lifelong success.