You live in Illinois and you’ve always dreamed of going to college, but the reality of leaving home leaves you as cold as Lake Michigan in January. It may be that a two-year college might be a better choice for you.

Illinois has a huge variety of two-year schools that might fill precisely what you need and want. Illinois has 49 community colleges serving 40 districts, so chances are there’s a college within commuting distance to you. In fact, Illinois is the home of the first two-year college established in this country. The first public junior college in the United States was established in 1901 in Joliet

When should you go to a community college?

—You’re not ready to leave home. For many students, the thought of leaving home is scary. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. For a variety of reasons, thousands of students choose community colleges to stay close to family and friends. If you’re not ready now, maybe you will be a two years and then can rethink your decision and go on to a four-year college.

—You’re not sure what you want to major in. If you make a mistake at a four-year college and major in something you realize you hate, it can be an expensive mistake. Community colleges are far less expensive than four-year colleges, giving students a chance to “try out” a major without going to the poor house.

—You don’t have the grades. Community colleges are easier to get into for students with less than stellar grades. If you want to go on to college, you can prove yourself in a community college by getting good grades there. Then, a four-year school will know you are capable of getting good grades and are committed to your education.

—You don’t have the money. Though there are many loan, grant and scholarship programs available, some students simply don’t want to take out a loan that they’ll spend years re-paying. Four-year colleges are expensive. The average public college costs more than $12,000 per year. That’s a scary number, especially if you do not qualify for grants or scholarships.

—You want to enter the work force ASAP. Community colleges and technical schools often offer practical degrees that can get you into the workforce quickly. They also offer students flexible class times allowing them to work while they attend school.

—Community colleges and technical schools offer a wide variety of programs to choose from and that also get you into the workforce quickly. In addition, Illinois has some of the best two-year arts schools in the country, including the Harrington Institute of Interior Design, and two locations for the Illinois Institute of Art.

If you feel you’re not ready for a four-year school for whatever reason, a two-year college may be the perfect answer.