When you look at Brooklyn, you'll discover that there are surprisingly many educational institutions located throughout the area.

I initially thought only of universities, but I found that community colleges are quite well-established here.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, they can actually be better than four-year institutions, and if you're aiming for a career change or certification, these can be your first choice.

The most representative community college in Brooklyn is Kingsborough Community College. It is part of CUNY and is located in the southernmost part of Brooklyn, in the Manhattan Beach area. The campus is right next to the ocean, offering truly stunning views. I was amazed the first time I visited a college campus with an ocean view. For New York State residents, the annual tuition is around $5,500, which is very affordable.

They offer a two-year Associate Degree program, and there are well-established pathways for transferring to four-year CUNY institutions like Brooklyn College after graduation. Majors include business, nursing, fashion, computer science, tourism and hospitality, and liberal arts.

In particular, the nursing program is in high demand and has a good employment rate. The environment is welcoming for adult learners and career changers, so it's not awkward at all to start studying later in life. There are summer and evening courses available, so many students manage to balance work and school.

The second notable institution is the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC).

Although its name includes Manhattan, it is easily accessible from Brooklyn via public transportation, and many Brooklyn residents attend. Located in Lower Manhattan's Tribeca area, it actually has convenient transportation options. It is one of the largest two-year colleges in the CUNY system in terms of student enrollment.

Its strengths include business, accounting, computer information systems, health sciences, and liberal arts. The annual tuition is similar to that of Kingsborough. BMCC has a good track record for transferring to four-year CUNY institutions, and if you're looking for a career in finance or management, its central Manhattan location is advantageous for networking.

The third option is the New York City College of Technology (City Tech). Located in Downtown Brooklyn, it offers the best accessibility for Brooklyn residents. It is within walking distance from the Jay St-MetroTech station. Although it is part of CUNY, it offers both two-year and four-year programs. The curriculum is specialized in technology, engineering, design, healthcare, and computer science.

It has strong programs in practical skills such as architectural engineering, interior design, electrical engineering, and computer systems. There are also four-year bachelor's programs available, allowing students to continue from an associate degree to a bachelor's degree at the same school. The classes are hands-on, making it a good fit for those who want to learn practical skills rather than just theory. The employment rate for graduates in engineering and IT fields is quite decent.

One of the advantages of community colleges is that they also offer non-credit courses, which are vocational training and certification programs that do not count for academic credit. For example, Kingsborough offers short-term programs in cooking, computers, languages, photography, and real estate licensing. City Tech also has a variety of short-term vocational training programs. As someone who enjoys exploring Brooklyn, I was pleased to find such options available near my home.