I’m debating whether to go to community college first then transfer to Pitt or go straight to Pitt for 4 years. I live in Kansas but I am able to apply for in state tuition due to my dad living there but I’m debating which choice will save me and my family the most money.
It seems logical that community college then transfer will be cheaper but here’s my dilemma. The community college doesn’t have dorms which mean I will most likely have to rent an apartment in Pittsburgh. The cost of living there is pretty generous but as a college student I’m going to have to pay more for the apartment and its expenses by myself. I most likely won’t live with my dad because he is has remarried to my current step-mom and it’s not that we don’t get along but my step-mom and biological mom don’t have the best relationship and it would just be awkward. Plus I feel like I am invading their family. The commute isn’t that long but I prefer to be independent and the situation for me isn’t very comfortable. I’ve never lived alone but I think I can manage if I found a roommate to split rent but I want someone’s perspective on their experience. Has anyone moved to college and directly rented an apartment right away? Is this a wise choice and would it save me more money?
I would be paying roughly $7,500 for 2 years in CCAC for my tuition.
For Pitt’s tuition, it would be roughly $17,700 for a year minus room and board.
- Pitt’s room and board is on average $10,100
Would I save more money in the end if I just applied for community college and then transfer?
Will missing out on the first two years of college at a university worth it? I really want to experience the FULL college experience but if it turns out be not as I expected, then it could be devastating. I can risk those 2 years but I don’t know if it’s worth it. Is community college the same as a university in regards to being happy and having things to do?
Can someone give me some input? I never lived on my own and I don’t know if I want to sacrifice those 2 years unless I know it won’t be much a big deal. I don’t know if I will have people I know also transfer to Pitt and have friends. So people who did went to community college then transfer, what’s your opinion on this?