California's average cost for a student at a University of California campus is $13,803 per year. For a California State University student, the state pays $7,872. But students consume only $4,883 in state funds annually when they attend community colleges. In addition, statistics show that students who attend junior colleges first are more likely to graduate in a shorter period of time. Of students who begin at a community college, 80 percent of those who go on to UCs and 56 percent who attend CSUs graduate within four years. Meanwhile, only 40 percent who begin at UCs and 10 percent who start at CSUs finish in that time period. Finishing school quickly gives students a head start on excelling in their chosen career, Cogdill said.  "It's obviously important to get your formal education out of the way so you can get started making a living," he said.