At the same time, you squander the opportunity to network and meet people. I get what you are saying, but it's all a trade-off. I am paying for my education with the belief that it will land me a decent job, capable of paying off these loans. Perception reigns supreme. Not trying to say that community college provides a worse education. But when it comes down to it, state university education > community college. Stanford > Northern Illinois. I want to put myself in the best situation to land a good job.