A big part of the value is you can take core classes very inexpensively and then transfer to a more expensive same state university. Not an option for everyone,

A big part of the value is you can take core classes very inexpensively and then transfer to a more expensive same state university. Not an option for everyone, but it really saves a lot of $$ for those that can make it work. Most two year degrees that don’t focus on a trade of some sort are mostly of dubious value on their own, though.