I disagree with most of the people here. I think you should got to University of Iowa, and I don't think it's a close call.

1. Iowa is inexpensive for in state students. The tuition is $8,104/year. The total estimated cost of attendance is $21,010, but that includes books, meals, personal expenses, and transportation, all of which you would still need if you went to community college. The two real additional costs of Iowa are housing and tuition.

I know this sounds like a lot of money to someone in high school, but when you get older and have a job, it really isn't that much.

1. Going away to college is an irreplaceable experience. College is one of the most fun times in people's lives. You are going to be living on your own with thousands of people your age with no full-time job, no parents to worry about, and no kids to worry about. Trust me, it goes by fast.

Freshman year is particularly important as a growing experience and as a time when you will meet new friends that will stay with you your whole college experience and sometimes your whole life. If someone offered me $15,000 (a rough estimate of how much you'll save if you go to CC) to give up my freshman year of college, I would walk away as soon as I was done laughing at them.

I can't emphasize this enough -- do not throw away some of the best years of your life over money that will be insignificant to you in ten years. You are interested in fields with very good employment rates and very good employment opportunities.

1. At university you will meet more intellectually engaged, smart people (not that community college doesn't have such people, just a smaller %). These connections will start as social, but throughout your life they could prove invaluable in your career. It may more than make up for the extra money you are paying.

2. It sounds like there's a lot of drama/problems going on in your house. Your dad makes $100k/year in Iowa and he's in the red? To be honest, I think you need to GTFO of there. Don't let them be an anchor.

3. Don't forget financial aid and work study. They can really mitigate the cost of school.

Seriously, if you can make it happen through loans, work study, and financial aid, go to Iowa. Enjoy your life while you can, get a good job, pay off your loans.