Cost-saving as Freshman

Hi all,

I am thinking of attending Tandon at NYU next year, however with all scholarships, cost is almost 70k a year (60k after subsidized loans and work study). As Tandon is probably the best engineering school I’ve gotten into (vs Drexel, Tulane, and TN Tech) I would like to attend, so I have been considering ways to fund attending. One thing I have realized is that living on campus at NYU is optional for all years (I’m pretty sure? unless it’s different for Tandon students in Brooklyn?). My grandma lives in the Upper East Side and has said she would house me rent-free, saving me 20k/year on room and board. Additionally, as the virus crisis could continue to next academic year, saving on room and board could make NYU a lot more affordable for me. Any input on if these are viable/efficient options? Any advice?

Thanks!

What is your budget?

How much debt would you end up with if you go to NYU?

What would your other alternatives cost?

That still leaves a gap of $40,000 per year…which comes out to around $160,000. No, the school isn’t affordable. That kind of debt would financially crush you. There are schools just as great for a fraction of the cost. If you want to do engineering all you need is a school that’s ABET accredited.

@coolguy40 My parents have offered to pay 35-40k a year, so I’d only be 40k or so in debt, but I see your point. The thing is I think I want to go into animation, which NYU is famous for. Drexel and Tulane each cost 40k/year, so I wouldn’t be in any debt. I was just worried that they didn’t have NYU’s reputation

@neutralmouse01 That sounds more reasonable. The one thing that’s been worrying me lately is how unpredictable this virus has made things. It’s safe to assume that a parent will get laid off in the near future, making an NYU dream school into a nightmare. I’m already seeing posts where this is happening. I don’t know your finances, so if you’re comfortable with NYU and you can afford it, then good luck…but you may just want to bring that up to your parents, just to be safe.

Just bear in mind that depending exactly where your gran lives on the UES, it’s going to mean a commute of around 45 minutes each way. Will cut into your daytime and possibly limit social opportunities, though the subway is 24 hours so that does help, as long as your gran doesn’t mind you coming and going at all hours. It is a great offer from a financial savings perspective in NYC.

“Drexel and Tulane each cost 40k/year, so I wouldn’t be in any debt. I was just worried that they didn’t have NYU’s reputation”

Drexel and Tulane are both ABET accredited. They are both very good universities. Having no debt is HUGE. I would pick one of them.

Engineers are not into “prestige”. They care what you can do. Having a degree from an ABET accredited university is also valuable, which you will get with either Drexel or Tulane.

Personally I like Philadelphia and hate really hot summers. For me this would be an easy choice. You should use your own criteria to pick a school but “ABET certification and no debt” should be very high on your list of criteria.

@DadTwoGirls That makes sense. The only other thing I was thinking about was that since I was trying to get a degree in animation or digital media (which may or may not be engineering, I’m not sure, but they have it at Tandon) that I don’t know if Drexel or Tulane are very strong in.

Thanks for advice everyone!

If you really are dedicated to animation, what matters is that your portfolio is strong. Not your school. And that simply comes down to how dedicated and talented you are.

However, do you have any credits from AP tests? NYU is relatively generous with AP credits.