30k for URochester vs 10k elsewhere?

College Search & Selection
1

I’ve been accepted to the University of Rochester, and it would cost my family about 30k per year. I’ve also been accepted to the UMass Amherst honors program and the business honors program at UMiami-Ohio, both of which would cost my family about 10k per year. I’m not sure what my “top choice” school is, so this more finance-focused than choice focused.

Both of these options are affordable for my family, and my dad has explicitly stated that he would be willing to pay for Rochester if it’s where I want to go. However, 30k is on the higher side for my family, and I’m having trouble justifying the 80k cost difference over the four years. Plus, if I were to go to one of the other options, I could a) do more fun things like study abroad or do unpaid internships and b) my dad would be willing to use at least some of the money to help me pay for grad school (if I go) or just generally assist me a bit after college.

I’m very undecided as to what I want to do in the future. My current thinking is double major in economics or marketing and something related to psychology or neuroscience; however, that could definitely change in the future.
The major con of Rochester is the cost. The pros are: small classes, I love the size of the school, lots of research opportunities, flexible core curriculum, and I’m under the impression they have strong economics and science programs.

So, I guess I have 2 questions:

  1. Is it even worth considering whether to go to University of Rochester, or is the difference in money just not worth it? Should I bother visiting, or just disregard it and focus on deciding between my other two options?
  1. Any suggestions or thoughts on which school would be the best choice would also be welcome.

Thank you for your input!

2

Not worth it—the University of Rochester isn’t any better than the other two, and the advantages you cite of going to one of the others make the decision pretty clear, I think.

3

Make a chart comparing URochester, UMass Amherst and UMiami- Ohio (positives and negatives). 10k a year for undergrad is a FANTASTIC deal, but URochester seems like a better school and has great pros, as you listed.

Do you have an idea of what you want to pursue after college? Do you know what sort of career you want? For some professions, undergraduate name is important but for others, it doesn’t matter as much where you go as long as you are a hard worker.

You seem to be leaning more in favor of UMass Amherst or UMiami-Ohio— you already have great reasons for choosing those schools (internships, saving for grad school, etc.).

:slight_smile:

4

Visiting URoc will help you make this decision. It’s an excellent opportunity. I have also met very happy students from UMass.