There are a lot of details missing in that interview, e.g. How did the older sister finish college with $50k in debt when the standard federal loans come to $27k? What are the interviewee’s GPA and test scores?
For a kid with grades and test scores that aren’t in a merit-aid range, and without a lot of financial resources, the CC to 4-year route is likely to be the most affordable. Especially if the 4-year is also in commuting distance. Nationwide, scads of people get their educations that way. So it is entirely possible that the interviewee is making the best choice for herself.