Community vs. University vs. Private

OK now this may sound strange but I absolutely refused to even consider going to a community college. Scratch that, I did consider it. I simply refuse to attend one. Why? Because I'm a snob and I'll admit it. Months of research compared with first hand accounts of friends has convinced me that community college just wasn't good enough for me.

Please don't take what I'm saying as community colleges aren't good choices in general. Community college just wasn't the best choice for me personally. Nearly all of my friends are attending the community college nearby or planning too in the fall. A few say they only plan to be there for the first two years while the rest aim to stay there the whole time. I think they are all crazy. They think likewise of me. Which leads to the query of why? Whats the difference between big colleges and little ones? What sets the different types apart? Here are just some of those qualities.

Community: Only two come to mind...
1.Close to home, within commuting distance
2.Inexpensive (more so than larger colleges or universities)

University:
1.Gives you the chance to live away from home.
2.Larger than CC (community college) so you'll meet alot more people.
3.More diversity/culture
4.Plenty of clubs and organizations to take part in.
5.Looks better on a resume than a CC does usually.
6.Usually offers more opportunities than a CC. Ex: travel abroad, foreign students, winter term in some.

Private:
1.Larger than a CC but smaller than a University
2.Better teacher:student ratios = better education because you won't get lost or swallowed up in the massive crowd of fellow students. This means small class sizes normally.
3.More diversity/culture just like a University.
4.Plenty of clubs and organizations in this type of school too.
5.Definitely looks better on a resume.
6.Offers opportunities not given by a CC.
7.Chance to live away from home and experience life on your own.

Now the obvious drawbacks of those second two are that they cost a lot more than a community college. Private colleges are often the most expensive but this is not always the case.

Its often said that there is no difference at all between the first two years at a community college and at a larger college except cost. Yet there is a huge glaring difference. I'd compare its obviousness with that of a pimple on year book picture day. No. Make that on senior prom night right before the photographer takes the shot. The difference is the EXPERIENCE! The college experience is the difference. The hanging out in student lounges with new friends, jammin at college concerts, chillin in the dorms, finding an awesome club you didn't know existed. Obviously campus parties are in there somewhere but do I really need to point those out? College is about more than studying for your career. Its also about experiencing new things and making connections with other people.

So if you don't mind missing out on that stuff or money is tight or you just want to stay close to home for the first year or two then go with a community college. But if you're looking for more than that then take a look into larger colleges. What type of college are you in favor of?