I finally got through to my parents about just how astronomical college costs have become. My mom attended an in-state four-year university back in the early ’80s, while my dad received a full scholarship in the late 2000s when he went back to school. They’ve been adamant that I shouldn’t encourage my niece to follow my path—starting at community college for half the degree and then transferring to a four-year institution with a strong GPA to maximize scholarship opportunities and minimize loans.
However, after discussing a scholarship offer I received with my mom today, I laid out my remaining tuition expenses for spring 2026, which is around $3,000. She was shocked to learn I was looking at a total of $10,000 for just one semester! I finally said, “Now do you see what I mean when I say that a four-year bachelor’s degree can cost between $80,000 and $100,000?” And this is without even considering the other options in our state!
Seeing the reality set in was eye-opening for both of us. I refuse to let my niece graduate with crippling debt just because everyone around her insists on the traditional four-year route. She doesn’t need to sacrifice her mental health to achieve perfect grades. If she completes her 60 credits at community college and maintains at least a 3.0 GPA, transferring afterward will keep her costs manageable.
What frustrates me is how many people still look down on community colleges. I’m not about to go into massive debt for an education. As a GED graduate, prestige isn’t my priority; what matters to me is earning my degree for under $15,000.
It sounds like you’ve had some important conversations about the realities of college costs and the value of different educational paths. It’s great that you’re advocating for your niece and trying to help her avoid the kind of debt that can be a huge burden after graduation. Community college can be such a smart and financially responsible choice, especially with the opportunity to transfer and save money.
It’s definitely frustrating when people have a narrow view of what success looks like in education. Every student’s journey is unique, and what matters most is finding the path that works best for them, not just what’s traditionally expected. You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into your own education and financial future, and it’s commendable that you want to share that perspective with your family. Keep pushing for the importance of informed decisions over prestige—it’s a conversation that needs to be had. You’re doing a great job!