<p>OP, of course those schools match your interest, but it takes more than that to attend one of them, even if you get accepted. There is a limit on how much you can take through federal loans ( I think it is about 5K, I am not certain). Every spring there are posts on CC " Help I can’t afford my college" and the reality is that not all schools provide enough financial aid to meet a student’s full need. </p>
<p>I think students are less aware of the costs than parents (like me) are. It is possible to have a “gap” between the cost of attendance and a financial aid award, and this can be prohibitive. To some extent- in some situations- paying for college is much the same as paying for anything else. You might really be interested in a top school but if that school costs too much, you will need to find one you can pay for. Exceptions occur- mostly for really top students- getting into a college that meets full need, a substantial merit award, or acceptance into a program for low income students, but these are exceptions and they are not common. Students who have less than spectacular records are not likely to be one. </p>
<p>There are paths to becoming an engineer that you can take, and I know of students who started at their CC and transferred to a 4 year college. The degree they have is the same as someone who was there for four years.</p>
<p>Take U Michigan for example. Out of state tuition is $42 K a year, room and board is $10K- total of $52K and this doesn’t include books and other expenses. Penn State and GA tech’s tuition is about $30K. Now compare this to the cost of a SUNY- Tution: about $8K, Room and board about $12K. Total : $20K a year. You will need to consider how much financial aid you will get and what is left for you to pay at each school. Each college has a net price calculator on the website. </p>
<p>Wherever you apply- you must have some affordable colleges on your list as well. </p>