<p>I've received admission to both UCI and University of San Diego and I plan on going for a degree in business administration. Aside from the obvious price point difference with USD being far more costly, I've run into a problem deciding which school to attend. UCI's business administration program is brand new, but I have it in my mind that somehowthe reputation of the school itself will significantly help in job placement but I am not sure how accurate my assumption is. USD's program was ranked 29th by business week. Basically I am unsure as to the strengths and weaknesses of both schools in the field of business in comparison with one another, and I was wondering based on the perceptions of people from either of the schools schools related to the business program, or job placement, etc to help me in making my decision. So please if you have anything that may help me in my decision making process between UCI and USD it would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>If UCI has a brand new business program, and USD is nationally ranked, than just out of curiosity, why would you think you would have an easier time with the UCI degree on graduation?</p>
<p>What is the typical class size of a UCI undergrad class? What is the typical class size of a USD undergrad class? </p>
<p>Which school will most likely graduate you within 4 years? With cutbacks in the State of California budget, this may mean it takes longer to get all your classes to graduate. It is not uncommon for kids to take 5 years to graduate in the UC system. </p>
<p>Professors will be the ones writing your recommendations into business school…how hard will it be to get to know your profs at UCI? Son attends USD and has never had a class with more than about 30 kids, total. </p>
<p>Internships - you should be able to score internships while an upper division student at both USD and UCI - both have big business centers in the surrounding communities. Check into that, while you are researching and comparing.</p>
<p>UCI’s overall ranking is higher than USD and is more prestigious. USD’s undergraduate business program is only ranked by BusinessWeek not by US News. There is also a huge difference in tuition between these two schools. Obviously, it is much cheaper to go to UCI.<br>
If you love liberal arts, then go to USD. The university is extremely liberal arts oriented. However, if I were you, I will choose UCI. Good luck on your decision. Bear in mind that both are great schools!</p>
<p>Sticker price for tuition isn’t the same thing as what a student will receive in merit or need based scholarships. Factor in the financial aid and it is often a completely different picture of what the cost of attendance might be. I know this happens with the students I work with, and it has also happened with my own kids’ fin aid packages. </p>
<p>It’s not always more “expensive” to attend a private school than a state school. Multiple factors impact the outcome.</p>
<p>Good luck to OP on your decision, whatever you decide!</p>
<p>It is in rare cases in which attending private universities is cheaper than public universities. USD’s tuition per semester is $17,000. UCI’s tuition is $2,925.50 (fall quarter) and $5849 (winter plus spring quarter). The OP needs to receive a minimum of $14,074.5 in the fall and $11,1151 in the (winter plus spring semester) grants/ scholarship to be considered cheaper to attend USD. This is assuming that the OP does not receive a single penny of grant/scholarship from UCI. However, if USD will grant him such massive amount of grants/scholarship, he can assure that UCI will provide him with scholarship/grant.
Based on College Board:
USD Financial Aid
Average percent of need met: 72%
Average financial aid package: $23,108
Average need-based loan: $5,098
Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $17,887
Average non-need based aid: $11,790
Average indebtedness at graduation: $23,343 </p>
<p>UCI Financial Aid
Average percent of need met: 82%
Average financial aid package: $14,214
Average need-based loan: $5,897
Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $10,685
Average non-need based aid: $8,526<br>
Average indebtedness at graduation: $13,383 </p>
<p>Based on the above statistics, an average USD graduate will have more debt compared to a UCI graduate. Also, an average package is comprised of grants, loans and scholarships! </p>
<p>Unless his overall financial aid package is comprised with more scholarship and grants than loans, I will not recommend attending USD. This is only my biased perspective. However, I am a current USD student transferring to another university after this semester!</p>
<p>I strongly recommend you to visit both campuses before you make your final decision. You are the only one who really knows which school is a “fit” for you!</p>