Cheap State School vs. Private?

College Search & Selection
41

I have to disagree with those who say where you went to school is immaterial after 5-10 years. I went to Northeastern undergrad and a top 15 MBA and I have to say where I went to school comes up a fair amount and does matter. There’s no doubt that my work achievements matter much more but where I went to school, especially the MBA, has been helpful to me on a number of recent occasions.

As for Northeastern vs UMASS I would apply to both and see what they offer. Northeastern does offer merit aid. Unless Northeastern offers you a steep discount I’d go with UMASS. Keep in mind that Northeastern is usually a 5 year program so it’s not just $58K per year as opposed to UMASS’s $25K but there’s an additional year to boot.

42

@Troyus not sure of your age but I’m over 25 years out of grad school.

Congrats on the top 15 MBA, that would impress me too - and it would trump the undergrad.

43

@mom2collegekids I know I will be busy, but this seems more like personal preference rather than fact. You cannot “make a mistake” to visit home every once in a while…

44

A top 15 MBA very well may matter.

The difference between UMass and NEU (and most people would not perceive a difference in prestige between the 2, IMO) almost certainly would not.

45

Older people have told me, it matters less where you go undergrad in comparison to grad school. One man told me, “Go to your state school for free, do very well, then go to an elite grad school”. I think what he said has some truth to it.