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In my opinion, college universities are cesspools of sin and should be avoided by Catholics.

The same can be said of the society in general. Do you have any specific criticisms? I am going to argue that it is much less an occasion of sin than the work environment of many professions.

You're not as unusual as you think in terms of having social views that the people who run the place want to change.

As you yourself just pointed out, your motivation for going to college is a great deal different than Philomene's.  And people will leave you alone because of who you are.  Do you recall what Daegus related to us about his college experience?

Well, if "they" want to meld my mind to fit their world-view, I can't see how they will succeed. I think that to a large extent, one is influenced as far as one allows oneself to be. Another user here commented that young traditional Catholics should not "wear their heart on a sleeve" when in secular academic settings. Totally true. If I was vocal every time I heard someone say something stupid in discussion, I would be a lot more stressed and unhappy than I am at present. It's not about compromising morals, etc. I just see no obligation to pour out my heart to people who are just teaching to collect a paycheck. They treat teaching like a job, so I just treat being a student like a job. I give my work and classes no more thought than they are due. I don't treat essays like some sort of personal testament that I want to leave behind for posterity to assess my character and beliefs. Aside from that, even if I were to seriously be sincere in opening my mind to the guidance of most of professors, I don't even know what opportunities they would have to "corrupt" me. Are they going to argue for population control in my statistics class?

Yes, if her motivation is primarily to find a potential spouse then I must say that our motives are vastly different.

Wait a minute! Are you saying that I'm not likable? Does that mean that the fortune cookie I picked up the other month that said "You are popular and social able [sic]" was wrong?!?

Yes I do recall what Daegus had to say. However, I'm inclined to think that people like that who fall into such positions bring it upon themselves - at least to some degree. I won't put all the blame on Daegus, but I think I certainly would have been able to avoid getting into such a situation. It's a bit like when attractive girls come up to you and intentionally behave flirtatiously in order to solicit help on homework or something to that extent. If you see it immediately for what it is then you don't need to fall into the trap. If you do, it's largely your own fault.

I'm a few years older than you and in college, also a trad Catholic young woman.  First, I'd like to commend you for trying to get your options laid out before you.

Community college is a great idea.  It's not too pricey and you can commute.  I'm attending the state school and live close enough to commute- I cannot stomach the thought of living in the dorms.  Colleges ARE cesspools of sin.  Don't count on making many friends because you won't be popular as long as you don't join them at the bar Wednesday nights and have a boyfriend who has no intentions of marrying you, and more besides.  I feel completely alone there pretty much, which is okay- I'm not a terribly social person, but the degree of immaturity is appalling.  There are a couple of faculty persons in Animal Science whom I associate with pretty frequently- not Catholic, but conservative individuals who respect my beliefs as much as I can hope  they could without being Catholic.  I have been working with these people and they are about the only ones I can kind of consider as friends.

I would highly discourage you from seeking a husband via college.  How you will find one I can't tell you- I feel I'm probably called to be single, but I'm open to marriage if that is God's will for me.  I truly have no clue how I'd ever find the kind of man who'd make a good husband- my ideals are too far-fetched for most in the world.  The simple fact that he'd have to be traditional Catholic is enough to narrow the options down to almost nothing, it seems.  But my opinion is that you should start at the Communion rail.  

I would study something that you find interesting and useful.  If teaching is that, then go for it.  But many areas could also be useful for you.  You could even start taking basic classes like math and humanities and then transfer them to a four-year college if you wish, and for much cheaper.

I am not sure that it is wise to simply stay at home and wait to be married, unless you are really occupying yourself in some way- perhaps starting a home-based business or something like that, unless your parents really could use your assistance, such as if you have many siblings or you live on a farm.   For one thing, there is no guarantee that you will find a suitable husband.  This is just my position on the matter, and I know people disagree on this.