Community College vs. 4 Year College

Basically, this came up on a fastweb forum, and I wanted to reword it. But I'm on school vacation, and my brain has turned to mush, so I'm copypasta-ing my own reply. Remember, I live in California, but my advice may be useful to many:

Community colleges are only for a two year program, but other than that, there are actually very little differences between community college and state universities. Price is another difference. The community college I went to, many of my professors actually worked full time at a state university and worked part time at the community college, and usually it was because they themselves once went to community college. There are pros to community college:

-You can get a 2 year degree. I went to community college and graduated, and someone I know went to a 4 year and dropped out. At the end of the day, I still had a piece of paper that said I finished a program.

-Price. Community colleges are definitely cheaper, and can transfer into a 4 year school, bringing down the overall cost of college. Also, since many part-time professors work full time at the state university, you're getting the same education, just cheaper.

-It is actually easier to transfer to a 4 year in most instances than start as a freshman.

-In some states, there are financial aid programs specifically for community college (ex., the state paid for my tuition in community college, something they don't do for me now that I'm in a 4 year.)

There are also cons:

-Societal pressures. People still assume community college to be a bad thing or a person attending one to be stupid.

-Financial aid flipside: Someone I know didn't qualify for a lot of financial aid and tried to get a student loan to help cover his costs at community college. They couldn't give it to him because the school has bad credit because they'd given out so many loans that never got repaid, which I suppose happens because community colleges accept pretty much anyone, just as long as they'd benefit from education.

-Like many schools, many community colleges try to keep class sizes low. However, they accept pretty much anyone. This often leads to competition for GenEd requirement classes, and in some instances makes it hard to add classes. (I went to community college in California pre-budget cuts, and a 4 year in California after the budget cuts... And while it's hard to get a class now, it was harder at the community college.)

Then there are points that are either pro or con, depending on how you feel about it:

-Community colleges do not have housing (as far as I am aware; they do not in my state), so you would probably still have to live at home.

-Community colleges do not offer any of the "perks" you would find at state universities, such as exercise rooms, wifi, or a student union.

I'm sure there are points of consideration I'm not considering. But for the most part, these are things that should be considered in deciding whether or not Community College or a 4 Year College is right for you.