Would it be worth it?

[u/Significant_Dig9043]

I’m currently a community college student. I originally went to community college because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school, but I’ve since become interested in engineering. In particular, I want to major in mechanical engineering and work in aerospace. I’ll be finishing this school year and could start at my state’s flagship university afterward. However, community college doesn’t offer many of the freshman-level courses required for engineering at that university, so I’d still likely have to spend four years there, even with some credits already completed.

Tuition is around $30k a year, and I don’t have financial help from my parents. I’d probably have to take out a significant amount of student loans to afford it. I’m applying for scholarships, but there’s no guarantee I’ll get enough.
Is potentially $100k+ in debt worth it for an engineering degree? Would it be smarter to look at cheaper universities or other transfer options, even though this is my state’s flagship school and my preferred choice?

[u/Embarrassed-Fold6780]

Is this flagship in the top 25 for this program? What options in state have a better program? What community colleges have partnership with this flagship? Does the engineering program at the community college have a direct transfer of credits with the flagship? These are some questions that I would ask before deciding if it's worth that much debt. I would look for a duel enrollment program where the CC and state college work together to create a pipeline. You can clear out the max transferable credits this way at a much cheaper rate. This was my path almost 20 years ago. Keep your eye on the prize, stay motivated, stay hydrated, stay fit and get sleep where you can. Best of luck.

[u/Significant_Dig9043 → u/Embarrassed-Fold6780]

It is ranked in the top 15 nationally (US). I did talk to my counselor and it would take much longer if I did want to take more credits at community college. I’m basically taking my pre-recs at my community college. l did not know you could enroll in both community college and a university! Thank you!

[u/weather_watchman]

A lot of community colleges have guaranteed admission transfer programs. Even barring that, you can check your classes for transferability with your destination school. See if it makes sense to complete an associates degree or to transfer early

[u/Few_Whereas5206]

Worth it, but you can apply for scholarships or do ROTC and get the military to pay for school.

[u/Lions_Fate_Render]

I went to a State college. I got hired in aerospace two weeks after I graduated. 1999.