If you are going to a “hard” degree, CC will not help you.
The course work does not prepare you for something like engineering. I saw a lot of kids flunk out after 2 years of CC, only to find they were a year or more behind in calc and chemistry.
Community college can work, but to say it provides the same value as a good state school or a private school simply is no true.
“The course work does not prepare you for something like engineering.”
It can, but you have to want it.
I knew an engineer who went to CC first and then transferred to a university. He did very well and landed a good job.
Many successful people I’ve known went to CC first.
Most people go to CC to save money - not because they can’t handle the coursework at a university.