<p>I was admitted to Berkeley and the School of General Studies of Columbia. My ultimate goal is to attend graduate school at a top university.</p>
<p>I would prefer Columbia but there is a huge cost disparity I need to factor in.</p>
<p>Columbia would cost me $75,000 for two years, while Berkeley would only cost me $12-14,000. I am already leaning toward Berkeley--but I am not completely set.</p>
<p>Insight/advice?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Why do you put this in terms of two years, not four?</p>
<p>I am a transfer student.</p>
<p>What are you studying and what kind of graduate school are you shooting for?</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools. Obviously Columbia is better, but that’s a big financial disparity. Sounds as if you’re from California, too. I think I’d stick with Berkeley.</p>
<p>Berkeley. Both are pretty prestigious schools, and since you’re factoring in the money, then you get a good deal with the education and prestige from cal than you do with Columbia.</p>
<p>Same decision. Picking Berkeley, mostly because Columbia is in Harlem. At night, there are police trash bags and hookers all over the streets about a block away from Columbia. Berkeley is in a better area and it’s cleaner. Also, Berkeley is better on most majors.</p>
<p>If you like Columbia and the cost difference is not a problem for you and your parents, then by all means, go for Columbia. However, if money is an issue here, it would be a terrible mistake to go for Columbia when you have admissions from Berkeley. The quality of education between the two isn’t that much different. In fact, for some programs, Berkeley is significantly better than Columbia’s. And if this matters to you, you’re probably going to earn more leaving from Berkeley than Columbia as Berkeley grads are paid more than Columbia grads are.</p>
<p>Starting Median Salary<br>
University of California, Berkeley $59,900
Columbia University $59,400</p>
<p>Mid-Career Median Salary
University of California, Berkeley $112,000
Columbia University $107,000</p>
<p><a href=“2024 College Rankings by Salary Potential | Payscale”>2024 College Rankings by Salary Potential | Payscale;
<a href=“2024 College Rankings by Salary Potential | Payscale”>2024 College Rankings by Salary Potential | Payscale;
<p>Thanks everyone. I just submitted my SIR. GO BEARS!</p>