<p>Working on a budget now that S has been accepted as a Spring admit. What would going to USC really cost us, on top of the tuition/room & board? Is it worth the extra expense if we aren't getting financial aid? Looking for some experienced opinions/advice from Easterners that have gone West, thanks.
(S has made initial deposit at an Ivy)</p>
<p>upwards of 48,000-50,000 a YEAR, divide that in half for the first semester as a spring admit. you should compare financial aid packages and take into account travel expenses before making a decision.</p>
<p>I would stay with the Ivy. I think COA is upward $52K and increasing every year.</p>
<p>We've seen the costs quoted by USC. I'm curious about those "extras" ie. transportation across country, to and from LA airport, dorm supplies that must be purchased in CA instead brought from home, entertainment expenses in LA. How much more beyond the $50K?</p>
<p>Here is the bus info from USC Viterbi.</p>
<p>USC</a> Viterbi School of Engineering : New Student Information</p>
<p>
[quote]
Airport information
USC is accessible via many different airports and airlines. The closest airport is the Los Angeles International
Airport (LAX). The following services will take you from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the University Park Campus.
(Approximate costs are provided in U.S. dollars).
Taxi: Approximate cost is $30-$45
Shuttle Bus Service: Approximate cost is $15-$20 per passenger
o Prime Time Shuttle (800) REDVANS (733.8267)
o Super Shuttle (800) BLUEVAN (258.3826)
o Xpress Shuttle (800) IARRIVE (427.7483)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't know about airfares from PA to LA, but my daughter applied to a school in Boston and after did a quick check of the airfares from LAX to Boston, it was so expensive that it helped her choose to go to college in CA. I think airfare has jumped up like 3 times the normal rate. I know this as I was trying to book to go to Hawaii, normally it only costs around $500, this year it went up to nearly $1500.</p>
<p>For entertainment, I think there was a thread on this. It depends on the students but $300/month should be plenty. Let me find the link.</p>
<p>Here is the link for dorm linens.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rhl.org/linens.aspx%5B/url%5D">https://www.rhl.org/linens.aspx</a></p>
<p>As an east coaster who's just finished freshman year... the extra expenses I can think of that come with being from the east are flight and storage.</p>
<p>If you plan to bring your son home for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, RT tickets can range anywhere from $300-700 depending on how early you book. I bought my Thanksgiving flight just a week before for $510, but I bought my Christmas flight earlier for a little over $300. I made four round trips this past year - Orientation, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and combined August/May one-way flights - so that was altogether roughly 2 grand. </p>
<p>About transportation to/from the airport... taxis from LAX to campus cost roughly $50. Shuttles are cheaper and go from $20-30. What's cheapest is if your son has a local friend or relative that can drive him for free. </p>
<p>As far as storage goes... the storage services that advertise on campus dorms are overpriced in my opinion - they charge $10-30/box a month depending on the size of the (small) boxes they provide for you. I saved money by using my uncle's garage; many of my friends did likewise, storing their things at a friend's or relative's place for little or no fee.</p>
<p>Everyone has different spending habits. But from personal experience... since USC is in a rather underdeveloped neighborhood, there aren't a lot of local places one can easily blow their money on. There is no "college town". I actually found myself saving money because there wasn't a Whole Foods or an H&M within walking distance. But it varies depending on your son's access to a car, or his willingness to brave public transportation, or how frequently his friends take him out for excursions. And obviously if he has a car on campus it runs extra costs - parking spots range from $200-400 a semester.</p>