Community College or State School

Please speak with your high school guidance counselor and ask him/her to help you set up "official" (not informal) visits to both institutions.

The distinction between an official and informal visit is important, because with an informal visit, you might get a few minutes with a counselor, and then will be handed a map to tour the school yourself. Fine for killing a Friday afternoon. Not useful for gaining accurate information about admissions and plans of study.

You want an opportunity to speak directly with a counselor from the nursing department, not just a generic admission counselor. You want to be able to sit in on a class. You want to be introduced to current students who will tell you like it is.

The answer to your question will probably depend on your finances, your academic abilities and the admissions policies of the Nursing program itself, not just the university overall. Gaining admission to the university will not guarantee you a place in the Nursing program. That will be a second qualification process. You want to find out if being a current, on-campus student will give you any priority in earning a spot in the Nursing program. If so, then it may be worth the added expense of attending your first 2 years there. If not, then you may choose to go to the less expensive community college for your pre-reqs.

Good luck to you!

Since you're still young, you should really consider doing all 4 years at the state school. I say this because your time at a university can provide a great experience, where you’re (hopefully) away from home, and have a chance to do some growing up while enjoying life.

For second degree and older students with families and other obligations, I recommend the associate’s to bachelor’s route. But for the young ones who are able to, I recommend the 4-year college/university route. Just make sure you don’t get into too much debt doing so.