Money VS Time [College question]

Hello everyone!

One year after high school graduation, I decided to enroll in college in spring 2012. Of course I could have enroll in college earlier, but I was having some issues (you guys know why)

Anyways, I have to decide between two schools, one is university and the other is a community college. The main problem is time and money. Here are the pros and cons of each school (in terms of Time VS Money).

*My main transportation is the bus, nothing else. I live in Florida and bus transportation is horrible and not reliable.

University:
Pro: Time: With the bus, it only takes 45 minutes to reach to the University (total of 1.5 hour). I can take classes at any time.

Con: Money: The tuition for the University is about $690 per CREDIT, not per CLASS, according to the 2010 -2011 fee schedule. I can take up to 6 credits per semester.

Community College:
Pro: Money: Tuition only cost $355 per CREDIT, which I am very happy about. I can definitely take 12 credit classes per semester based on my income.

Con: Time: With the bus, it takes about 3 freaking hours to reach there (Total of 6 hours). There is no way I can take morning classes or evening classes. I have already calculated that I can only take classes between 11am – 4pm based on the bus schedule.

*Keep in mind I don’t want to take online classes! (Personal reasons)


If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Any advice?

Community College. I went to community college for my first year and a half. The college was much closer to my house though, 1 hour with bus. I risked driving through the entire year and a half. I live in the suburbs (outside of Chicago) and public transport is horrible! I would go to community college and try to use my time on the bus wisely. I know it is a lot of hours on the bus. I do not know how harsh the laws in Florida are with respect to driving. In Illinois is worth taking the risks if you pay insurance. I wish I could help you. You are young and just graduated. Do not take huge steps at the beginning. Stay motivated! Do you get in state tuition?

At the end, going to college is nothing if you do not get your Bachelor's. Therefore, I would recommend going to community college even though it take 3 hours. Also, you should find a way to take online classes. The biggest constraint is the money. Everybody has time and other stuff but not everyone has money. I understand your personal reasons but you should find a way to overcome that personal reasons.

You may just have to relocate closer to your college. Three hours each way is an absurdly long commute. My daily commute is about 70 + 90 minutes via the bus, and even that is hellish.

If you can't move, you may just have to suck it up and take classes at the university assuming that you can use the time that you would otherwise spend on commuting working on a job.

Thank you for your advice! Florida doesn't allow undoc. students to receive in-state tuition, so I have to pay out-state. If I did received in-state, I would of gone to the University long time. I can take the risk of driving here in this state, but I have no license and a car..

Thank you for your advice! True, the end point of college is earning a bachelor degree and this makes me care less of starting with University. But like I said before, Time is an main issue for me, because I am limited to the classes I can attend at the CC. I am still debating whether I should choose money over time..

Also, I can't take online classes, not because of personal reason, but mainly for medical schools. I researched a lot, and I found out there is a limit on which online class you can take before consider admission to the medical school. So I would rather take campus classes instead of online classes.

Thank you for your advice!

If I actually move closer to the CC, I will lose money and in the end, I wouldn't be able to take 12 credits per semester. I don't pay a lot of rents at where I am staying and yes, I did research the "potential" area where I might move to, if I took the risk, but at the end I will be paying a lot more money for rent than what I am paying now.

I am leaning towards going to the University, but the tuition is killing me

I used to work a job that was a 2 hour drive and wouldn't recommend that to anyone nevermind 3 hours. On the bus you could get some work done sure but you will be drained every day.

Thank you for your advice!

Not only will I be tired from the 6 hour bus drive, but I will also waste time..

I not sure what my decision will be, but I have enough time to think about it for now..