<p>DS just got a mailing from the Univesity of Oklahoma which offered a full ride to all National Merit Finalists, plus a laptop, plus $1,500 travel money.</p>
<p>It really gives me pause. Oklahoma is certainly not on DS's list, but is Michigan, Chicago, etc (who are on the list) really $80 - $160K better than the honors college at OU?</p>
<p>What if I said to DS, I'll split the difference with. If you go to Oklahoma instead of Chicago I will put away $80,000 for you. When you are 60, that $80,000 will be worth about $600,000 at a 5% return. We're talking real money here.</p>
<p>Or am I just be stupid because you can't attach a monetary value to an education?</p>
<p>SBDad, that is exactly where we were two years ago, but it was U of Florida. My s gave up going to a higher ranked school to attend UF for the money. We said we wouldn't touch his college fund and he could use it for graduate school, or a down payment on a house, or whatever...</p>
<p>He LOVES it there and it has turned out to be a great choice for him. I wish I knew more about Oklahoma to give specific info, but I wanted to let you know that taking the money has worked out for some :)</p>
<p>Looking at the Economic value is just one way to quantitatively evaluate the costs/return of college. There are qualitative criteria for each school that also need to be evaluated as well.</p>
<p>With that said, OU Honors college full ride + $ makes a compelling case. You have already mentioned that the money saved (opportunity cost) can be invested and the compounded return will be significant. In addition, you also have an economic advantage by not taking any loans. This will further validate your economic value/increase argument.</p>
<p>$$$ is always part of the decision making process. IMHO OU is a fine institution. Ultimately, it is the student in combination with the school that matter and not just the school.</p>
<p>Just visit the school and see for yourself. Last year my NMF son and his dad didn't want to look at OU --but it was a great offer, in driving distance, so they went--not expecting much. They were greatly impressed. Though S ended up choosing a different school, OU was a strong #2 on his list.</p>
<p>I would have a hard time taking Oklahoma over U/Chicago under any circumstances. Sometimes money talks and sometimes when it does I plug my ears. D had the same offer but it was a ridiculously bad fit for her so I slept well. For others with different criteria, I can see it being a viable option.</p>
<p>We were at the same place 2 years ago as well with the University of Alabama. She took the expensive private college. Our choice was a little more complicated, she really wanted a small school and, there were other things that made Alabama, or any large state Uni not a good fit, but still it was a lot of money.
We'll see if she made the right decision. I think she would have been financially better off to take the money, but I'm envious of her experiences at college - definitely different than Alabama.</p>
<p>one little problem with the carrot you're dangling in front of D -- inflation. With inflation averaging 3-4% over long periods the real purchasing power of that $600K is a lot closer to the $80K than you might think. And given the huge national deficit it wouldn't surprise me if over the next 40 years someone decides to make it largely go away with a burst of inflation. So if she does take the offer, put the money into stocks and not bonds.</p>
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TheDad, sometimes it's the very same criteria but a different kid doing the evaluation. From what I "know" of your D OU would have been a horrible fit. A family friend attends and loves it. But what I know about both girls suggests that they are very different in what they want from a college. So while the criteria may be "the quality of the education", they might arrive at quite different values.</p>
<p>As an example - my D says "I want a school with fantastic prof's". That is a prime criteria - quality of faculty. Well, by that my D might mean engaging, approachable, accessible along with superior intellect and education. Others may decide that having a Nobel Prize winner who no one can decipher as a prof was meeting that criteria although he never once speaks (or even learns) their name. They would have the same criteria but not the same decision about quality.</p>
<p>Now , to the OP and back on topic ;) . OU has a very livable campus and I know several alums and have been on campus several times. I'd say check it out but if your kid is the type that prefers a more predominately liberal or counterculture campus atmosphere then I don't think they will like it too much. Just a hunch ;). For everybody else, it's worth a look.</p>
<p>I agree with Curmudgeon. My wife worked there some years ago. Not a bad looking campus, very large student body, nice town with good relations with the college. You have to like sports (why my daughter in no way will consider it).</p>
<p>Honors housing? Honors courses with small classes? Guaranteed internships? Guaranteed research possibilities? Early registration? School abroad possibilities and funding? The more guaranteed perks the better. Large universitys generally have more choices of research areas if this may be an interest.</p>
<p>Two of my good friends are graduates of OU. One is now Phd director of large hospital lab in large city.</p>
<p>My son is currently at a State honors program full ride++. Turned down some very prestigous offers but smiled and said "hey...we are talking undergrad here and I can get as great an education as I want to and not have to fight for recognition and opportunities" </p>
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good for you mathmom, now onto some helpful information.
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<p>LOL ag54!</p>
<p>We're not there yet, but I assure you that I would not throw away many full ride offers. I'd see what the school offered & pay a visit if my kid was even slightly intrigued. LurkNess has a good point about getting the application in, just as a back-up. NJ has some really dreadful state schools, so I hope UO is a few steps up.</p>