Is it smart nowadays to go to a community college first and then transfer ?

[ucbalumnus]

@TopTier

I am sure you believe the UC schools are expensive, even with in-state tuition. What about the thousands of high school students who think they’re quite affordable for Californians and whose parents have saved adequately to finance their higher educations without debt? Perhaps they would see things differently?

California is one of the better states for in-state need-based financial aid. However, the option of starting at a CC and then transferring to a UC or CSU does give students additional low cost options that they can choose (sometimes for reasons other than just costs).