I went to CC, and have been a big proponent of them to the high school kids I teach. I finished in 2 years with my Associate’s, and went on to graduate from a local university, job offer in hand, 4 years after I graduated high school.
But I think their one failing is when it comes to “slackers.” I think that those kids are less likely to get the academic “push” they need. I think they’re more likely to fall through the cracks in a CC (or at least a large one like the ones on Long Island) than at a smaller college. And I think those kids are more prone to stop after receiving an Associate’s Degree than to push on for their Bachelor’s.
I would rather see those “slackers” attend a smaller 4 year school.