Would it be cheaper to start off at a community college and transfer?

Absolutely. Be sure that from the get-go you have both the community college and 4-year university you'd like to study at picked out (if possible.) That way you can be in contact with advisors from the second university and make sure that each of your classes will transfer well. Alternatively, you could be sure to earn a complete Associate's before transferring.

Yes, it generally is a lot cheaper. Just be sure that you have a plan for transferring your credits after two years. Be sure that the university you will be transferring to accepts all credits or be sure that the community college has a direct transfer program otherwise you could be out alot of money and time. Working with your career counselor in college should be able to help you navigate.

Usually it is cheaper to go about higher education this way, particularly if you have grown up in the same state that the community college is in. Good for you for thinking about your options!

Another avenue to defer costs is apply for as many scholarships as possible during your senior year in high school. While the process can be cumbersome, I've seen students receive literally thousands of dollars towards their education. There are many available that are not necessarily tied to a high GPA.

Agreeing with Avianne on this one - typically yes, it is cheaper taking courses at a community college versus a large public / private university.

One of the community colleges in my area offer a great program where you can spend two years taking courses through them, and then transfer to another larger public university in-state. This is great because it allows to save tremendously on courses for two years, but still get your degree from a more recognized university.

I'd recommend seeing if any community colleges in your area offer a similar program. Good luck!

I agree with the others going to community college first is the best way to save money. There are typically programs you can do that you take the first 2 years at community college and then go to a university. You should check online or visit the community college in your area for assistance. Good for you for thinking ahead. Community colleges have the same general education classes you see in the universities but at a fraction of the cost and smaller class sizes. Some of the general education class such as math, science, and etc you can probably take online if you are wanting to try to work while going to school.