<p>Ok, so right now I'm in my last week of my Junior year in High School. I've basically narrowed my top choices to San Diego State, Arizona State, and Santa Barbara City College. If I get accepted at SDSU, I'll without a doubt go there, but just in case I'm still going to apply at ASU. The thing is OOS tuition at ASU would put me in major debt and that's one thing I would want to avoid. My other option would be to go to SBCC for two years, live in the "dorms" there and then transfer to UCSB. I've calculated and It would cost about 30K+ to go to ASU, as opposed to around 16K to go to SBCC. My question is, should I go to ASU, be in debt, but still enjoy the full "college experience" or should I go to Santa Barbara, save a load of money, but not have the same experiece as I would at ASU? Again, this would all be avoided if I get in at San Diego, but I still need to have my options open. Sorry for the long post, but any advice would be appriciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>It’s not worth paying OOS rates and going into debt.</p>
<p>You know why the economy tanked? we couldn’t deal with our debt problems. I am now for any education that doesn’t include significant debt. I would pursue the best education possible that you can afford.</p>
<p>You need to sit down with your parents or whoever it is who is going to help you pay for your education and talk about just exactly how much money is available and where it is coming from. Run the FAFSA EFC calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) Until you know your money situation, you can’t make good plans.</p>
<p>For now, it looks like commuting to one of the CCCs or living on campus there (if there are residences) would be your least expensive option. Don’t worry about not having a “full college experience”. Nationwide, the single largest number of college age students commute to their local community colleges. If you end up being one of them, you will be in good company.</p>
<p>Just be sure that if you decide to go the community college route, that you take advantage of the transfer advising from day one. There are many classes that look alike, but do not qualify for transfer to a CSU or UC.</p>
<p>What are your goals/majors?
There are other out-of-state West Coast schools who participate in the WUE program, which allow for in-state tuition, plus 50% for out of state students. For example if in-state tuition was $2000.00 in qualifying state, than your tuition would be $3000.00. Depending on where you want to be and what your major is, and/or if any of the less-impacted CSU might work for you, it may be worth checking into the WUE.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for your replies. I still have a lot of thinking to do, but right now I’m leaning 55-45 SBCC then transfer to UCSB.</p>