<p>I found an interesting paper written by a Princeton student.
It is kind of long, but very interesting.</p>
<p>To summarize, on page 32:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Students who attended more selective colleges do not earn more than other students who were accepted and rejected by a comparative set of institutions
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If you aren't able to understand this paper, you can't go to a selective college! lol</p>
<p>An old guy like me was lost after the statistical stuff started. I can't believe I actually went to W&M back in the day!</p>
<p>My own father has often said to me (starting before I didn't get into my reach schools, so he was not just trying to comfort me! :)) that were he to reapply to college today, he would have real trouble choosing between Princeton (his alma mater) and the many excellent middle western LAC's that he has done buildings for (architect) and has come to known in adulthood. So, even beyond the money factor, coming from someone who went there (and liked it--had a good experience--not a bitter alum), the prestige factor doesn't mean as much as many think, anyway. </p>
<p>FWIW, for all that "prestige": my father's immediate higher up is a UIUC graduate, and a fabulous architect. So go to the prestigious school because you love it (and won't be broke for 10-15 years after you graduate), not because it has some sort of abstract "prestige".</p>