<p>I am deciding between the University of Kansas and the University of Pittsburgh. I was just recently notified I received the KU Pell Advantage Scholarship, giving me a full ride. On the other hand, Pitt is giving me about $24k in financial aid while their out of state tuition is ~$27k. Sure I am getting quite a bit of aid for Pitt's tuition but there's also room and board, misc costs, books, etc. Is the education at both schools about the same? Should I consider Pittsburgh being that much better than my instate?</p>
<p>It comes down to what you and your parents can afford. If it’s an easy go to pay the differential and you like Pitt better, then go for it. But if you have to scrape that money up, and take loans, and your parents are not really happy about paying it, it’ is absolutely not worth the differential. It’s not what you get that counts but what you end up having to pay. What’s Pitt going to cost you including loans in 4 years?</p>
<p>Where would the money come for the room, board, and misc at Pitt?</p>
<p>KU is a fine university. If you can graduate from there for free, that would be a hard deal to beat.</p>
<p>The money would come from my parents and outside student loans. After looking at my financial aid letter again, I’m getting 1 subsidized and 1 unsubsidized loan (Direct Stafford). In 4 years: $12,000 I would need to get from alternative student loans/my parents, $14,000 for the subsidized loan, $8,000 from the unsubsidized loan, $8,000 from the Perkins Loan. The rest of the FA letter gives me grants and how much I would get from doing work studies. Well… after typing this out, I think the full ride KU tuition is a lot more viable and worth it.</p>
<p>" Well… after typing this out, I think the full ride KU tuition is a lot more viable and worth it. "
Wow! Look at that! You just made an adult decision. I think the KU option is the best too. Later in college, during conversations with your peers about how you’re paying for college, “I have a full ride” is going to sound so much better than “my parents and I are borrowing $12k a year.” Full rides always impress me. You’ll have the option of doing unpaid internships rather than scratching for a pay check during the summers. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the insight. I’m visiting Pitt this week and KU soon to finalize my decision by May.</p>
<p>Check: is KU FULL RIDE (ie, tuition + room&board+fees, sometimes + stipend/books) OR Full TUITION? Those are not the same, although they’re frequently confused, and do not result in the same costs.
You can present things this way:
KU: (tuition+ R&B) - (grants+scholarships) = ? total net cost
– federal loans: , … =? total loans</p>
<p>Pitt: : (tuition+ R&B) - (grants+scholarships) = ? total net cost
– federal loans: , … =? total loans</p>