Economics Undergrad: Georgetown College +$30k in Student Loans, or UVA and Free?

I know these types of threads make the rounds on the College Confidential boards. I have scoured everything and anything I could find that compared these two schools, but like every student, every situation is not the same. I would pursue an Economics degree in either school. I will say that Georgetown is my number one pick and I feel like it would be the best fit for me. The issue I’m struggling with is since the schools are so comparatively ranked and recruited from that I’m not sure if $30k will open up value comparative opportunities as opposed to UVA.

Both schools in the universities are set and I will not be able to transfer among other schools. (i.e. Georgetown College > SFS or School of Arts and Sciences > McIntire)

Georgetown University - Georgetown College

  • In a big city and close to where I live
  • Love the campus
  • More prestigious
  • Higher grade inflation (Nice to have, but will work my butt off regardless)
  • Surrounded by A LOT of great intern opportunities
  • Costs roughly $30k more for me to finish my degree ($30k is a rough rough estimate. It will probably go down a little)

University of Virginia - School of Arts and Sciences

  • Free
  • Better Economics program (This is the perception I got while doing research)
  • Further away from people I care about

My goals after graduating are to proceed to a Graduate school, preferably Ivy league. While you can tell I like more things about Georgetown, in the end it is all about return on investment for me. I wanted to know, if say I am similarly studious in both school, which one might provide me with better opportunities?

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Have you already been admitted to both universities?

UVA. It’s free. AND if you go to a prestigious, elite school, it will be harder to get into grad school. Grad schools want to see top GPAs.

And please, don’t just hunt for prestige. You shouldn’t just arbitrarily want to go to an Ivy League college. They are all distinct.

Is this

still true for you or…

UVA.

My wish to continue my education at an Ivy league institution is anything, but arbitrary. I apologize, but even suggesting that seems kind of ludicrous. I specifically have an eye on Wharton or Colombia for their “Business Economics and Public Policy” and “Economics” graduate majors respectively. I didn’t specify because it’s besides the point of my thread.

Wouldn’t this be an argument FOR Georgetown as they have generous grade inflation (possibly too generous)?

Thank you for your input!

With regards to grade inflation, econ at georgetown is a mixed bag. The department ‘fixed’ inflation by caping the number who can get As or A-s at 50% for all classes. This is great in early low level classes as there are tons of people who don’t do well but when you get into smaller classes where there are 16 people and only 8 of you can get high grades no matter how hard you work things get a little cutthroat and people get curved down often. I can only imagine what seminars with 6-8 students are like.

^ Those classes are usually classified as International Affairs for that reason, so that the situation listed does not occur.

$30k total? Not terrible for Geo. But if you are considering also needing to pay for MBA, I would advise UVa free. It’s still an excellent school!