<p>It is incredibly hard to decide on spending $48k for USC versus $30K for ucsd. I would prefer ucsd due to the money issue and they both have good computer science porgrams. My son has his heart set on usc especially having going to admit days at both school this week. No money from usc since our efc too high. Unfortunately I have two more to go through college. It is really hard to explain to him since kids now a days have no clue about money even though he has a job. He sees all the kids in his school applying to ivys and other private schools but they are more financially able to get aid.</p>
<p>You might consider having your son shoulder the debt for the difference. It would be considerable: $72K over four years, and you will probably need to co-sign for him.</p>
<p>If he does the calculations and becomes personally invested in the decision, it may help him understand what is at stake. Good luck!</p>
<p>(Caveat: Nearly everyone else on this board will advise against your son taking out such a loan. Personally, I think it is an avenue worth exploring, expecially if your son is the "frugal" type.)</p>
<p>As a CA resident myself I couldn't justify the $$ for a private (without aid) when we have an amazing UC/CSU system in place that we already support with our tax dollars. If the publics were bad maybe, but they aren't. I know this won't fly with alot of people here but....it's only college!</p>
<p>As a CA parent whose kid is not considering an in-state school, since we'd get virtually NO aid from the UC and it makes the price of the privates comparable with finaid.....I'd still elect UCSD over USC, mainly because of the prestige factor....UCSD is slowly but surely becoming in closer in status to UCB/UCLA, and from what I'm seeing in the hiring market in-state, the UC degreed people grab a lot of attention.</p>
<p>USC is a good school but the difference in cost in my mind would be very hard to justify since the CS program at UCSD is highly ranked and is certainly challenging (my D is a CS major at UCSD).</p>
<p>btw - the cost difference may be greater than you think since the cost of attendance at UCSD is about $22K not $30K. Consider this versus about
$50K for USC per year over 4 years (and it could end up closer to 5 depending on minor, etc.) and you end up with a $112K difference! I wonder if your S had to consider USC versus UCSD plus a Porsche Boxster plus a 55" plasma TV plus a couple of months of travels in Europe plus a few other odds and ends which one he'd pick.</p>
<p>I have a feeling the issue with your son is not about best value or prestige, because if so, the decision would be obvious - UCSD.</p>
<p>I'm guessing the real issue is the contrast in campus life at both schools. I have visited but not spent much time at UCSD, but I am intimately familiar with USC campus life, due to my H and 9 of my close relatives having attended there. </p>
<p>I'm sure there is a thread on this board somewhere that compares both schools, but in a nutshell, I believe life at UCSD is considered relatively dull compared to what goes on socially at USC, which has a tremendous amount of school spirit, tradition, and incomparable football.</p>
<p>If you don't have it, it's a non-issue. The fact that he doesn't like it doesn't make it one. No guilt. He'll be going to a great university, and you'll have money for the other ones. </p>
<p>"Unfortunately I have two more to go through college."</p>
<p>I would have said "fortunately". Give thanks.</p>
<p>I have a similar dilemma - my daughter is trying to decide between an in-state school (whrer she got a partial scholarship) and an expensive private school (where she got no scholarship or aid). My husband and I are wondering what is "fair" given the next 2 children in the pipeline. Should we contribute the same amount of money for each child for college or should we agree to pay for an undergraduate degree for each one (which could vary in cost). My husband was thinking that if she chose the cheaper school, we could pay for summer programs and perhaps a car for her. But I think we have to be careful what precedent we set, given the other children.</p>
<p>happy, I don't think you have to give all 3 of your children the same, but I think you have to budget for all 3 and give all 3 the <em>right</em> to choose the same. That is, if D#1 is allowed to opt for an expensive private school, it would not be fair to tell the youngest child that she can only consider publics -- however, if it happens that the youngest one chooses a public, I don't think you would then owe that child a cash gift because you paid more for the oldest kid.</p>
<p>I've got my daughter attending a private college this year, with my financial support, at the same time as her older brother is at a state college, supporting himself and paying his own way -- so I know that you can't always keep things equal. But in my mind it is fair because my son started out at a private college, it was his choice to drop out and work for several years. </p>
<p>However, the fact that he attended a private college to start did set the stage for my daughter -- I couldn't very well tell her to restrict her applications to our instate public. All I could do was set roughly analogous financial limitations. (Analogous and not exact, because the cost of college has gone up considerably in the past 5 years).</p>
<p>I have a friend who was in your position last year. Her worries about funding the other kids led her to nix the private school. Her son ended up at a school he wasn't happy with socially. He is trying to transfer... this time, she says cost is no object (though it will pinch their finances) because she wants him at a good school where he can have a great college exerience instead of wasting time being unhappy at the second choice school. It isn't always about the academics alone. Consider the what ifs and see if your feelings change about funding the more expensive school. Ask your child if he is wiling to contribute by working or being an RA or ??? If he really wants to attend, he will chip in somehow. BTW, I have heard of several kids who got money from USC during their sophomore year who did not get it as an incoming frosh. Also, once your other kids are in college your EFC changes considerably so there may be more money available. Good luck with the decision</p>
<p>happy:</p>
<p>I just considered my two kids independently and wouldn't have had any concern about one going to private versus the other public. As long as they enjoy where they're going it's a non-issue in my mind (assuming I figured I could reasonably cover the combined cost). I do agree it could be a problem if I told one they could go anywhere they wanted and told the other she was restricted. Luckily, I ended up not having to worry about it as they both selected relatively affordable publics that are well respected schools.</p>
<p>Also, I know this isn't the point you were trying to make but I recommend not buying a 16-18 y/o a car. There was another thread debating this subject but one quick practical reason is that the car is likely to just sit in the driveway or street and depreciate for a year or 4 once the kid goes off to college - not a very good investment.</p>