Scott,
There are, of course, no absolutes
When I was at Cal, a lot of folks I met in my junior and senior year had jumped over from any number of junior colleges in the California system. The story was pretty consistent: Cheaper to stay at home and take Spanish 101 at Ohlone Junior College than the same class at Cal.
Not suggesting you go that route, there are pros and cons, but it is a cost effective way to get the core bravo sierra out of the way.