There is a transfer path, but by the time you get there, the courses you take only cover half of your requirements had you spent those two years in a four-year college. Then you have to add another year in the four year college to make up for it, and the price advantage is lost.
Your world is very different from mine.
I attended the C&T part of a local university, earned an AS, and then transferred 100% of my credits into the BS program. At the time, they called it a 2+2.
My son, a computer consultant who is doing well, attended a local tech school, 2 year program.
My daughter, attended the 2 year RN program of a local community college, and is now working as an RN.
My youngest son, just finished a 2 year program at a local community college, which transfers 100% to the university from which I graduated. He's currently a contract employee for a local company's help desk.
Community colleges are relatively inexpensive, no frills, quality education. The problem with making it free is you will have people attending not because they want and need to progress, but because they have nothing else to do. Additionally, if the government is using our money to pay, they will dictate what is taught. Meaning, more indoctrination. Community Colleges are relatively free of indoctrination. As I said, it's no frills, and pretty light on the propaganda, (not propaganda free, but light).
Two years at the local university is roughly $20k. Two years at the nearby community college is about $5k. If you desire a bachelor's degree, you can get it for $25k, (community college + university), or $40k, (university alone).
I'm a big fan of community colleges, and your disparaging remarks rankle me more than they should, I admit that. However, the loss is yours if you ignore a real resource.