Here's a data point: Being the oldest of 6 children meant that my parents could not afford to send me to any of my first choice schools. This actually meant an

Here's a data point: Being the oldest of 6 children meant that my parents could not afford to send me to any of my first choice schools. This actually meant an early career redirection for me (as I had planned to become a pilot after studying at Embry-Riddle). 16-19 year old me did not fully appreciate the cost of pilot training, and after about a dozen hours I could not afford training. I refocused after "plan A" fell through, and went to my city's community college (College of the Canyons, or COC). To many students, COC was considered "the 13th grade" - an extension of high school. Still, COC was incredibly inexpensive at around $20/unit. Here's a college secret, freshmen units and senior units generally cost the same within schools. I was able to complete two years of lower division study and G.E. at the incredibly affordable COC rate, and then transfer to CSU Northridge to complete my B.S. Between COC and the California State school (as well as working to afford my own books and school supplies), my parents were able to put me through school with enough savings left over to afford my younger siblings a college education.