How does starting at community college and transferring affect my degree and finances?

Completing your first two years at a community college and transferring to a four-year university to finish your bachelor's can cut the total cost of a degree dramatically, since community college tuition is a fraction of university tuition. The diploma comes from the four-year school you graduate from, so it looks the same on your resume. The key to making it work is planning transfer credits carefully: use an articulation or transfer agreement between the two schools so your credits count and you don't repeat coursework or lose time. Confirm which courses transfer before you enroll, keep your grades strong for competitive transfer admission, and meet with advisors at both schools early. Done right, this path can save tens of thousands of dollars and reduce or eliminate the need for student loans.