Community colleges get a bad rap. But they aren't full of bad teachers and awful students…at least not any more full o' those types than anywhere else.

And public two-year schools are significantly less costly per semester than public or private universities. If your career of choice only requires a two-year degree, or if you're willing to start out at a community college and then transfer to a four-year school later on, the CC system can be a wise choice (source). Go ahead and put those pennies back into your piggy bank, Shmooper.