Which do you think will be a better decision in the long run?
Trying to decide between Northwestern and UIC.
How small we talking? I think you should go with the full ride. I know UIC isn’t as “prestigious” as Northwestern but you can’t beat graduating without any debt.
Depends on the major. If it’s engineering/CS or something similar in high demand and return potential, I’d definitely go with Northwestern. IMO debt wouldn’t matter much with the aforementioned majors due to high salary potential and immediate recruiting
Are you a transfer? NU decisions aren’t out except for ED (where you don’t really have a choice).
What would you be studying and what are career goals?
Debt always matters, how much are you talking about?
Variations on this question continually come up on CC.
I’m inclined to recommend a much less expensive (but still good) alternative … but the right answer is always “it depends”. It depends especially on your choice of major, the size of the cost difference, and your family’s ability to cover the difference.
Engineering and CS are two fields where UIUC is very strong (possibly even stronger than Northwestern in some respects). A degree in either field, from a wide range of universities, is very marketable all over the country. Investment banking is an example of a high-return field where the prestige of your undergraduate degree might matter more to getting a good job.
I’ve gotten about $7000 so I’d still have to pay a fair amount without taking out a loan. I’m planning to major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Industrial Design for now. Later, I’d like to go to business school.
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o I’d still have to pay a fair amount without taking out a loan
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What are your parents saying? How much will THEY pay? That will likely decide. You can only borrow $5500. And you shouldnt borrow much for undergrad anyway. B-school is going to cost you and likely give you debt.
To the OP, did you apply ED?
@tk21769, UIC is not UIUC.
Yeah, more details would be helpful - particularly whether your parents are able to pick up the rest of the tab at Northwestern, or whether you’re going to have to borrow big. If you’re just borrowing the federal maximums ($5,500 for your freshman year; the total comes out to around $27,000) then that’s a bargain for Northwestern as long as your parents can afford the rest. If your parents are expecting you to take out private loans that they will co-sign for…then you don’t want that, and you should choose UIC.
Deciding between Northwestern and UIC is like picking picking between a penthouse or ground floor apartment unit. Surely there must be some options like UIUC that split the difference? However, if it was only between NU and debt and UIC without debt, go NU and debt. For your major, your opportunities and connections will be significantly greater over the course of your career.
Ah, right. I read it too quickly. Well, that might change things a bit.
Are UIC and Northwestern the only two options?
@everyone I did apply ED but I can withdraw if I cannot pay. I guess I’ll just have to.
Right now, my dad is the only working member of my family and he can’t pay more than 20K per year. UIC and Northwestern aren’t the only options. I also have UIUC, Purdue and UW-Madison but I was thinking that it may be beneficial to go in-state to save some money and also to an OK school and be one of the top students than go to a better school and be one of the lowest ranking students. Also, I live about an hour away from Chicago so that’d be great as well. Any of these better?
Thinking about either going Mechanical or Industrial Engineering with a minor in industrial design if I haven’t mentioned.
Thank you all so much!
What did your FA package look like? If your parents had a recent change in employment (say your mom lost her job or stopped working), you CAN ask Northwestern to review your FA package to see if they can improve your need based aid. If you do that, do NOT withdraw your other applications until that is done and you have seen any revised numbers they can provide.
Can you replace the question marks below with dollar amounts?
College … Net Cost After Grant Aid
Northwestern … ~$65,600 - $7K = ~$58,600 / year
UIC… $0 for Tuition, R&B + incidental expenses
UIUC … ?
Purdue… ?
Wisconsin … ?
It sounds like you cannot afford Northwestern, at any rate. More than about $7500-$10K/year in “self help” (student loans and employment) usually is not feasible.
If graduate school is in the plan, you should go with the lowest cost UG and get the highest grade in addition to do a lot of research. You will be fine. The employers will only look at the graduate school’s name.
I am familiar with both Northwestern and UIC. Without more details, here is what I’d suggest for you:
In terms of your Industrial Design interests, I would investigate UIC’s school of Art and Architecture. It is strong in some areas, and also has opportunities that Northwestern doesn’t offer.
Unfortunately, while Northwestern may offer better career prospects and networking in some – but certainly not all, per above – disciplines, so far as I can understand your financial situation, I strongly discourage you from taking on so much undergraduate debt (if, as noted by other posters, that is even possible with Northwestern).
If you are dead set on mechanical engineering, UIC still may be a good option. The price is hard to beat. UIC is a major RU/VH research institution (the current Carnegie classification “research university/very high” for the top tier of research universities; there are less than 100 total in the U.S.) But I also suggest you carefully check your financial aid package and direct engineering admission possibility to UIUC when it arrives; that may also offer a very strong possibility.
I’d also suggest that you consider the following: perhaps complete your first two years at UIC with strong grades in engineering, then consider transferring, perhaps to UIUC or even UW-Madison, etc., for your final two years in engineering, if you can swing the costs and you prefer a highly-regarded engineering diploma (completely understandable, but probably not necessary to get hired as a promising engineer).
**Important: if you seriously consider a transfer from UIC, you must ensure that you won’t lose your scholarship / financial aid package for the duration of your study at UIC, otherwise this plan wouldn’t benefit you financially. If it isn’t clear in writing, please inquire directly with the school, or have a counselor or other reputable adults help you.