Most of these things can be completed at community college, the only exception being the occasional prerequisite. Unfortunately so many people assume that because community college is so much cheaper that the quality must be reflected in that price; “Often, community college faculty also hold teaching positions at other four-year colleges” (scholarships.com) teaching the same courses. General education alone represents 48 credits you must have in your college career; meaning that as a full-time student you could spend your first two years at a university doing general education. At full price! If you take those general courses at community college you can avoid two years of student loans, and that's just your immediate one