Last year with S21 we had a similar dilemma. We live in Florida which have 2 well regarded in State Publics UF and FSU and with in state tuition being about $6500 Plus throw in he is thinking about law school. This made going OOS for “Prestige” not financially sound. Forgot D23 thinking Med School
We like you are full pay.
I think you will find Schools that he would be at the top of the admitted student profile will give merit aid while schools that have many kids applying with similar stats to his you will get accepted but you will be more than likely full pay.
Very few top 20 or even top 30 schools offer merit anymore, everything is need based, and the top schools that still offer merit competition is fierce.
Some schools offer auto merit based to NMF, or OOS waivers which would make them as cheap or cheaper than UT. These schools can be as well regarded as UT or A&M so it would come down to what is the best fit
In Florida UF and FSU have OOS tuition waivers
UF OOS waiver not guaranteed to NMF
FSU OOS waiver and Honors college guaranteed for NMF
That depends on the cost, ie the availability of merit scholarships, and what those other schools offer. D chose a full ride at a lower ranked public over instate flagships (Berkeley/UCLA) - she also received an OOS tuition waiver at UT Austin. The most important factor was that her choice had the best BFA program.
Even if you are focused on prestige, if you are doing something like music, the general prestige of the college has very little to do with the strength and prestige of the course as it relates to a future career.
This student is not apparently majoring in music. As soon as music is mentioned, schools are suggested that have BM programs (conservatories, schools of music). If you go on the music major forum, it is often suggested that an applicant like this actually AVOID schools with BM programs. The better teachers and performances will go to the BM students. There is no advantage to being on the same campus as , say Eastman or Blair etc. There are exceptions as always.
Music for a non-major will possibly include lessons, electives and extracurricular performance. These can be found at most schools, and there is no need to look at schools with renowned Bachelor of Music programs.
If $35k is the goal for cost, a music merit scholarship is unlikely to make enough of a difference, even if offered . However, a music supplement may help with admissions. It is then a question of paying. it sounds like a state U. may be the best path.
I have a nephew that is interested in music and engineering - 1550+ SAT, very good GPA, etc. He really likes University of Rochester because of their music program. From what I understand they also give merit so if you are interested in ROI, you may want to check out this school.
Depending on the school, engineering and music can be a very challenging mix. Both curricula are packed and at many schools very rigid. Our son was a conservatory quality musician, but decided to pursue engineering. There were only a few schools that he considered where it would have been possible to study music formally, beyond taking private lessons. Lehigh was one of them. In general they weren’t the schools with conservatory programs.
If your student is a NMF and s/he is accepted into USC, s/he will automatically receive a half-tuition Presidential scholarship. That drops tuition to approx $30K/yr but does not include housing, food, etc.
The Mork scholarship has not been awarded the past couple of years.
Since U. of Rochester also includes Eastman, a conservatory, you need to check out music in the department of music at the university, which offers a iiberal arts curriculum that is different from the BM at Eastman, However, a U of R student can audition for lessons with an Eastman teacher. It is not guaranteed.
In my view, the extracurricular music at U or R aren’t that different from many other schools. Eastman isn’t necessarily an advantage. And the OP wants extracurricular music, it seems.
