This College Strategy link is a pragmatic look at college options for under-resourced students living in west San Jose (California), though the thinking is adaptable to most any American college setting.  First I consider the financial tradeoffs between 4 alternatives and then with several other aspects important in setting a college strategy. I'm not an expert on selecting colleges. But I coach under-resourced students from families with no university experience, modest employment options, and in some cases limited familiarity with American culture. So occasionally I get a chance to help a high school student think through their college options.