<p>I have less than 2 days to decide between Clarkson University and the University of Michigan college of engineering. Clearly UMich is a much better school but they expect $23,000 a year, whereas Clarkson wants $15,000. Going to Michigan I would need to do work study and it would put a financial strain on my parents. Is it worth it to go to Michigan for that much more a year?? RPI was in the running until i realized they would cost about as much as Michigan. So basically its about a better education vs practicality and little debt. Please help me out here.</p>
<p>What do your parents say?</p>
<p>Starting engineering salaries are pretty much the same unless you’re talking MIT so talk to your parents because it really is a difference in cost and not necessarily going to give more value in terms of starting salary right out of college with an engineering degree. So Kelsmom is spot on if your parents are comfortable with Michigan’s costs and you prefer a big, diverse university and all that that means good an bad…then go to Michigan.</p>
<p>My parents have basically left the choice up to me now. They have their own regrets for not choosing to go to a bigger school with more options for change and liberal arts classes. I really love Michigan and clarkson not so much. I can’t see myself actually enjoying clarkson. I only applied there because they sent me a fee waiver the day I sent my applications</p>
<p>I would normally say take the cheaper alternative, but… I’ve been to Potsdam.</p>
<p>Between work study or other jobs while in school, internships, maybe even a co-op, and a small amount of loans, $8K/year is not insurmountable.</p>
<p>In this case I think it would be worth some loans to go to Michigan.</p>
<p>I guess the question is how much of a financial strain is this going to place on your parents? You are young so you can take the time and strain, but your parents may be trying to work out retirement and have some financial issues. Talk it out with them and get the scoop before making the decision. We parents often go overboard in trying to make our kids happy, and make the wrong decisions financially. Ask them to give you a frank appraisal of what the additional cost will do to their finances and plans.</p>