Deciding between UNC vs Georgetown

College Search & Selection
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IMO it is really a family decision. Assuming you can afford Gtown comfortably (no hardship, no loans) then nobody has the right to tell you how to spend your money. FWIW I would consider the two schools to be academic peers.

UNC is an outstanding in-state option to have and the savings would be significant. But I do think your D would need to be prepared with a back-up major in the event she does not get into the b-school.

if your D has a strong preference for Gtown and having a guaranteed admit to the b-school is important to all of you (I must admit my preference for direct admit programs) then that may be the best answer given your parameters.

Again, only your family can decide.

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65

Since cost has worked it’s way into this conversation, let me suggest a different way to approach this question. There are a number of studies which have been done on Return on Investment (ROI) for colleges. They all have their flaws. The most obvious is that the studies look at the money that large groups of graduates have earned after college, but you only care about one future graduate - your daughter. So looking at ROI dOesn’t answer the question, but it’s a place to start.

The largest such study I’ve seen is Payscale. Here’s what they found on these 2 universities, factoring in private school tuition at Georgetown vs in-state tuition at UNC-CH.

Overall, Georgetown ranked #56 and UNC #285.

Comparing Business majors only, Georgetown ranked #8 and UNC rank #152.

Comparing Economics majors only, Georgetown ranked #9 and UNC ranked #35.

An interesting twist is that Economics majors from North Carolina did considerably better, using the raw data, than did Business majors from North Carolina.

This study is based on alumni earnings 20 years out. The data is reported at Best Value Colleges | Payscale

One of the obvious problems with using data like this is that this study is looking in the rear view mirror, basing its rankings on the results of students who graduated 20 years ago while you’re trying to project into the future for your daughter, and the two may or may not be related. Another problem is that the salary data that Payscale uses is self-reported, which may affect its reliability although all respondents to surveys were asked the same questions.

In another study by Money Magazine, UNC-CH ranked #43 and Georgetown ranked #83. The difference in this study is that it was based on early career earnings vs Payscale’s look at outcomes 20 years after graduation. Cost of Attendance is a bigger factor when considering only early career earnings, so you can consider which is more important in your case, i.e. short term or long term. A limitation of this study is that it ranked colleges based only on the outcomes for all students. As we saw in the Payscale study, Business majors from Georgetown do considerably better than do Georgetown graduates overall.

Forbes published a study in which student outcomes and ROI are factors included in determining their rankings although not the only factors. In their study Georgetown ranked #21 and UNC #28.

As I said at the top, this data does not answer your question. It is still a judgment call and the call is yours and your daughter’s. But it does provide additional information to be considered in making your decision.

All the best with your decision.

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66

If you saved money for college, if there is enough to pay for GT with no hardship (retirement, saving for other children, etc) then I would allow her to go due to direct admit to the BS.

If there is any financial hardship, any question about retirement, funding other kids, etc, then I would attend UNC and not look back. As noted above, there is a business minor.

Is there any possibility she will change her major?

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67

This assumes that the only consideration in selecting a college is financial success after graduation. That wasn’t the case for us or many we know. College is a 4 year experience where the young adult truly (hopefully) matures, can explore various activities, make friends, etc - and where they actually love for 4 years. Even if the outcomes were guaranteed financially the same people would have strong preferences between schools. For the OP -if the two schools were the same price, would the choice be obvious?

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68

Thanks @Bill_Marsh for the info, good perspective.

Agree @relaxmon , 4 years of the college were the best years of our life for most of us. Definitely want DD to enjoy, learn and mature through the college years.

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She has been very clear on pursuing business degree for last 3 years. She has taken business related courses since freshman year of high school. So don’t think that she will change major. But who knows? This factor too is weighing on us.

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No, it doesn’t assume that the only consideration for choosing a college is financial success after college. I went out of my way to say just the opposite. Did I not make that clear?

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71

You were so right! DD got admit from Georgia Tech after being deferred during EA. Direct admit to business school. Now more options to choose from!!

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See that was the save money compromise congrats

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Congrats. One more great choice to add to the pile. You definitely should visit.

To be honest, the saying “you don’t go to GT for the accommodations” is true but a lot live off campus after freshman year. It’s Atlanta so plenty of dining options off-campus. Plus grocery stores.

However, when you look at the facilities, faculty and opportunities it really shines. Good luck.

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74

Gtech!!!

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Hello, my daughter has similar interest in Business/Marketing. Do you mind sharing your daughter’s stats? we are in CA