I am a fairly indecisive person and I am having a lot of trouble deciding where I want to go to school next year. I want to study data analytics/economics/business analytics/geographic information systems. I am interested in greek life, ROTC option, great student involvement and school spirit. I want to study abroad as well. I just want a college that will set me up well for a future career where the ROI will be worth it.
I can realistically afford about a 30k contribution a year without going into a fair amount of debt. One of my goals has always been to graduate with little to no debt.
Anyways, here are my options:
ASU- Barrett Honors College (Business data analytics) - This is my cheapest option as it will only cost me around 20k a year. I am hesitant to come here though because I want small class sizes and I would prefer to leave the state. (I am an AZ resident).
University of Denver- (Business Analytics) - This school is in CO which I love. It will cost around 37k a year with my scholarships and merit awards. I will also be a part of the Pioneer Leadership Program. I am slightly concerned about the cold but I think I will get over it. I heard this school is socially dead. Is that true?
Elon university- (Business Analytics) - This school is a bit far from home, but I think I could get used to it. The net cost for me here is around 38k a year. I enjoy the tight-knit community here and the beautiful campus. I have been accepted into the changemaker scholars program. However, I heard this school has nothing to do because it is in the middle of nowhere.
University of San Diego- (Business Econ) - This school has my ideal location (Love the city of San Diego) plus it is somewhat close to home. I would have chosen this school if it wasn’t for the price. For me, it will be about 48k a year. I am not catholic, will that affect my experience if I choose to come here?
If anyone is familiar with these schools, feel free to share your opinion or what you know. I understand that I ultimately have to decide, but some thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.
Yesterday at 2:13 pm
2 replies
My son is at Elon. It is a tight knit community and beautiful campus. Small class sizes. Town is very, very tiny. There are tons of student activities on campus and everyone we’ve talked to (including my freshman son) love it. Will the limited options for off campus entertainment matter more once he’s been there longer? We will see, but everyone we’ve talked to who has attended Elon loved it. I’ve never heard anyone say there is nothing to do. Greek life is there, and strong for those who participate, but not a huge or necessary part of social life. FYI only sophomores can be in the small on campus Greek houses; so that in itself changes the dynamics of the greek scene.
I agree that financial considerations are super important. No info on the other schools but I have never heard that University of Denver is socially dead.
P.S. Univ. of Denver’s campus is not the center of social activity. While many students take long ski weekends or leave campus for hiking others socialize in local bars rather than on campus.
This doesn’t seem that difficult. ASU Barrett for sure. A number of the classes like The Human Event are held in small class sizes (20-25 students). The other honors sections should also be smaller. It has an active Greek life, ROTC, student involvement, and D1 football, basketball and hockey teams. And it has the #10 Business Quantitative Analytics program, according to US News.
Plus with this cost, if you really wanted to leave the state, you could take a different trip by plane every month for a weekend at $1,000 each and still come out $9,000 less a year than the next lowest, DU. My guess though is that there is so much happening on campus, you wouldn’t want to leave.
USD is a beautiful school, but it didn’t appear to have that much happening on campus.
My DD is choosing Barrett over some good UCs (UCSB, UCSD), Michigan and Wisconsin, all higher ranked than ASU, but Barrett alone is right up there with them. With the possibility of a remote learning fall, this appears to be a wise choice.
If you didn’t travel you would come out $70,000 ahead, which you could use for grad school, a car, travel, etc.
I know that you are hoping that one of us is going to tell you that it is OK to go into a bunch of debt that you state that you don’t want in order to attend a place that you find dreamier than ASU. But we aren’t going to do that. ASU Barrett has a fine program for your major. Be thankful that you have a truly good, affordable option. And as sbdad12 wrote above, remember that you can use some of the money you are saving to do some other things you’d like to do like travel or study abroad or enjoy a somewhat more expensive EC or live in a somewhat nicer place or have a somewhat nicer meal plan or have savings to help you move out of AZ and settle in a different state after completing your degree.