Unfortunately, cost is a large barrier for most looking into colleges. :/ In my opinion, the first school sounds better, the only issue is the cost. If your family wants to help you and put you through the college anyway, I'd go for it and help pay it back if you have the option. Out of state is EXTREMELY expensive, though...But I think you should follow what you want to do for a career. I don't think I'd go to a college that wouldn't guarantee me a program of what I wanted to do. :p I think this is more of a thing to discuss with family, since they're really going to be the ones to put you through!

For me, I think my college horizons have been greatly broadened. As of yesterday, I learned I made 5s on both my AP Exams (5 is the highest grade), one of which (AP Language and Composition) has, iirc, the lowest pass rate of all AP Exams. AP United States History is on the low side as well, so I'm very excited that I made 5s on both!! I've been thinking about going to a school in-state near the coast of the state, where I'd major in biology (minor in chemistry, but I'm not wholly certain of my minor as of yet), then go to a community college close to that school after I graduate and become a veterinary technician. Now that I've gotten my scores back, I think I'll be able to shoot higher, so I'm not sure where I'll go next. ^^'