http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/26/pf/college/community-college-earnings/index.html?hpt=hp_t3 So, if you have a kid who's torn on which to choose, perhaps they could start at a community college, get a good job, and then finish a bachelor's through a night or weekend program?
Or, they could get the Associate's, and if they find out that college is their thing, they could enroll in a 4-year degree program to finish the Bachelor's sooner. They could try CLEPping to get some credits by test before taking those in the Associate's program?
I am encouraging my kids to go to a community college first. If they wish to continue, they can transfer to a 4-yr school. Unless huge scholarships are offered, it's definitely the most affordable way.
Depends on the kid. Rachael is thriving at college (though she did take classes PSEO last year at the community college!) Faythe, however, would be much better with an Associate's Degree, at least for now, or possibly transfering. I don't see scholarships in her future!
I agree that it depends on the student and what they are striving for in the future. I know people with multiple degrees and their current job has nothing to do with the degrees they have earned.
College is a wildly mixed bag as I am sure most of you already know. I spent 5 years getting a 4 year degree, yes it was probably too much fun, and have never used it in my professional life. I read some books and met some very intelligent folks at university but I think my time could have been better spent traveling. In this new world I see higher education as the easy way out unless you want to go for one of the traditionally academic professions.