<p>Other than the size and cost.
Are private educations more valuable because it's more expensive?
I am sure many will disagree.</p>
<p>Private and public colleges are not homogeneous groups.</p>
<p>Studies left and right have shown that where you attend college has little bearing on your future salary (the one exception: low-income kids, who apparently make connections at top schools that would have otherwise been impossible to stumble upon). </p>
<p>The real difference, I’m sure many will argue, is the quality of education. Private schools generally have nicer dorms, a greater willingness to give kids money for clubs/etc, and an experience tailored towards education (ie dorms near classrooms, versus scattered wherever space was available, residential colleges versus twenty story dorms, etc). But these are generalizations with plenty of exceptions. In general, the preference is personal taste. I like mid-sized universities, which public schools generally are not.</p>
<p>I could go on and on regarding this subject but one of the biggest is state aid being cut … as well as red tape in registering for classes, dorms. In my humble opinion…the MOST important STAT to look at when choosing a school is how many the graduate in 4 years…most state schools are at 50% or below. Most privates well above 75%…the money you saved “choosing” a state school is used on a 5th (+) year.</p>
<p>Many people choose state schools because they CAN work their way through at an affordable price even if it takes a little longer. Most OOS kids paying full freight and supported by their parents graduate in four years just like private school kids.<br>
Private schools have red tape and rules too.</p>
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<p>As they say on Wikipedia, “citation needed.”</p>
<p>It’s been posted here many times in various forms
Article:
[Economic</a> Scene: Better Pay for a Better College? Not Really](<a href=“Economic Scene: Better Pay for a Better College? Not Really”>Economic Scene: Better Pay for a Better College? Not Really)</p>
<p>Chart:
[Does</a> Prestige Really Pay?](<a href=“Does Prestige Really Pay?”>Does Prestige Really Pay?)</p>
<p>Better Pay for a Better College? Not Really</p>
<h1>Chart Does Prestige Really Pay?</h1>
<p>By ALAN B. KRUEGER</p>
<p>Your son or daughter has just been accepted to both the University of Pennsylvania and to Penn State. The deadline for decision is May 1. Where should he or she go?</p>
<p>Many factors should be considered, of course, but lots of parents and students are particularly interested in the potential economic payoff from higher education. Until recently, there was a consensus among economists that students who attend more selective colleges — ones with tougher admissions standards — land better paying jobs as a result. Having smart, motivated classmates and a prestigious degree were thought to enhance learning and give students access to job networks.</p>
<p>But is it true?</p>
<p>A study that I conducted with Stacy Dale of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, “Estimating the Payoff to Attending a More Selective College” (available online at http:// papers.nber.org/), has unintentionally undermined this consensus.</p>
<p>….</p>