Having hard time deciding where to go. Deciding between the following with total costs after merit aid (no fa received):
Tulane 38,000
UMD College Park 19,500
U Rochester 70,000
I visited and like all these schools. Have $120,000 in a college savings plan. Parents will pay with that and cash flow (300k+ income) and said extra can go to grad school. If I go to UR have to take out student loan. Don’t know what I want to go into—maybe teaching or law or psychology. Which is best choice based on prestige and future prospects? I don’t want to be in debt. Parents iffy as to whether the enormous difference in price worth it.
Frankly, no, especially if you are undecided and among your possible career paths are low paying ones and/or ones that require paying for grad school.
So is Maryland good enough? Or Tulane which is mid-priced?
I would say UMD is good enough. I don’t see what benefit Tulane would give you.
That means they can save more for grad school.
$75K is enough to cover all of some masters degrees.
Which of the three schools has better name recognition for jobs/grad school? My dilemma is that my parents can afford all the schools but only if the prestige warrants it.
Looks to me like Maryland is the clear choice. No way I would recommend student loans in this situation. Get a Big 10 undergrad education and use the extra college savings for grad school.
Given this list, I definitely don’t think that Rochester is worth it, particularly if any debt is involved. I would just cross it off the list.
To me UMD is the winner on this list. What little I know about it is very positive. This also leaves you with no debt plus a bit left over in your college savings plan in case you either take a 5th year or end up going to graduate school.
Given the level of these schools, if you do very well for undergrad any of them should get you into top graduate programs. Any of them will be respected by potential employers.
Rochester is out, and Tulane ONLUY if they have something you want that you can’t get at MD. Both have a variety of programs so it’s doubtful. MD is significantly larger, enough to perhaps be a consideration. Tulane more selective this year, but if you’re going to grad school, either will prepare you well! Save your money!