TL:DR: Is taking a gap year actually more affordable option to getting my degree in graphic design. I’m using 
to mark key points.
I'm a rising senior in high school and I'm realizing that college may be less affordable for me than I've always thought. I've considered taking a gap year work and building up some savings, but I fear that not going directly off to college would make it harder to be accepted into school and/or get scholarships.
First let me list out aspects of my current situation for context:
current gpa: 3.93
current ACT: 31, 33 superscore (without studying, so I’m hoping to retake to at least a 33 with some prep)
state of residence: Alabama, looking to move to east coast (NYC and surrounding areas)
extracurriculars: choir freshman year; band sophomore year; recycling club (volunteer hours + officer), environmental science/gardening club (potential to be and officer next year), and endangered species club.
~all done for only one year (switched schools), but i plan to keep up my junior year activities next year
intended majors: graphic/web design, creative marketing
finances: my parents make over 100k, but are terrible with spending.
~They have practically no savings, esp no college fund.
~Likelihood of getting need based aid is low.
~I can’t work this summer because dad is injured, and my school doesn’t allow me to work during the school year (public boarding school).
my top 7 schools:
~State University of New York: New Paltz, Purchase College, or Fashion Institute of Technology
~City University of New York: Queens College
~Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU Arts)
~Savannah College of Art and Design (in Georgia)
~University of Montevallo (in-state), $19,000/yr or $76,000/4 yrs net price
~All out-of state schools showed a calculated net price of about $35,000/year or $140,000/4 yrs net price.
~With most of the schools being value schools, there were very few institutional scholarships available, esp. for an out-of state freshman
As stated above, I want to major in graphic design, but every in-state program I've looked at has been unimpressive. Montevallo is the only one I'm even considering. :) I think it's a better investment to spend more on a program that will actually help me be a competitive graduate compared to one that's half the price but doesn't. The schools I've listed are the best values I've found (price compared to quality student and faculty work, internship opportunities, and located near to a decent job market). Also, I know that graphic design isn't the most lucrative field, but I've genuinely considered other careers and just can't see myself doing much else. I've also considered not even going to college and taking the self-taught, freelance direction, but I've heard that pathway is even harder to make ends meet.
My options for a gap year:
Taking a year off directly after high school, work full time, live with parents, before taxes:
~at absolute minimum wage, 40 hrs/wk for 50 weeks: $14,000
~at the local $12.89 full-time average, 40 hrs/wk for 50 weeks: $25,780
Attending a year or two directly after high school, then taking the year off:
~would result in my associates if I went to FIT
~would be able to take advantage of freshman scholarships (mostly one-time, outside scholarships that are only available for current high school students to apply to)
~At some schools, I could take a portion of my courses online.
~If done through the school I plan to attend, I won't have to worry about transferring credits
~If did this in-state and then transferred, it would cut the cost for the year(s) in half
~~~~~risk those credits not being transferred and becoming a waste of time and money
:) Of course I also plan to work next summer and as much as possible while in college.
~Possible paid internships and freelancing as an upperclassman.
~Until I can work, I had the idea of opening an online print-to-demand shop to sell art/graphics prints on the side.
~~~~~I've just started working on building an audience for my art online
~~~~~It's passive income once I get everything set up, and making art is already something I have to do.
~~~~~I'm aware this would only be pocket money in the best case, but it could help.
:) My biggest fear is that the money I would earn working for a year would not offset the cost of college enough to make up for the missed opportunities I'd get if I attended right out of high school. What do you guys think? How did it work out for any of you who took a gap year to work?
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to give as much context as possible.