The thinner strings are higher. Going on any one string from the sound hole toward the head nut is going higher. If you are planning to buy a guitar you might want to put in an ad in our school bullitin or school newspaper. Sometimes guitars can be gotten cheaply this way. You may prefer to buy a guitar new.
Prices range from good at some shops to sky-high at others.
It pays to shop around. The best prices I've found so far are at American Dream in the courtyard at 63rd and El Cajon Blvd. They stand behind their merchandise too, something all stores don't do. Check your telephone directory yellow pages for guitar shops. Baltimore Dr., for example, has a rental program that sounds interesting, though I have not yet tried it.