I know there have been previous posts regarding similar situations, but I was wanting outside opinions as it’s a tearing choice that I have to make. I’m an in-state resident for the University of Florida which would cost me an estimated $10k per year in loans. Out of state Georgia Tech on the flipside would cost me roughly $30k per year in loans. I truly love GT’s campus and the opportunities they have there with their facilities, labs, maker spaces, research, co-op, etc. I’m not sure if I can justify the price difference though. I also plan to attend grad school after, but I know that grad school can be cheaper since schools will often cover tuition if you’re a TA, researcher, etc.
Something to note is that if I went to GT, I would definitely do the Co-op program and study abroad for at least a semester (which is charged as in state tuition).
In the end, I would love to go to GT, but not sure if it would be a poor financial decision to go there when I have such a discounted price at UF.
As much as I love Ga Tech, it is hard to recommend an extra 80k in debt to someone. As I am sure you know, your parents are going to have to help you with the loans, are they ok with that?
I would go to UF. Florida tuition is the lowest in the country. Plus, the most you can take out in student loans is around $27,000 for a bachelors degree.
My son last year got scholarship from Boston University so we don’t need to pay tuition. Also he got scholarship from Northeastern and RPI so that he would pay less attending those schools than GT where he needs to pay full OOS tuition. Also he gets UMass where he just needs to pay in state. Those are all CS majors.
But we still let him go to GT. Luckily we can pay for him so he doesn’t need to take loan. GT training is pretty solid. He nailed 2 summer internships as a freshman.
My parents would have to take out loans and it just makes the decision harder because I don’t want to be responsible for them being in debt. I would so the coop program and use all of that money back towards tuition, so the $80k number is an overestimate. The only problem is I dont know by how much @racereer. Ideally, I’d hope to be able to make 30-50k through internships and coops
As for coop and intern, GT CS is pretty easy to land an offer but other majors might not. Just for your reference, my son got a $36/hr summer intern in east coast and he is only a freshman and average academically in GT CS. Some GT CS kids do coop too.
But as your parents need to take loan, you need to check with them for comfort level.
@LAMOKIFLARE what is target major?
Can your parents’ income be affected by coronavirus?
If your major is not Engineering, I would go to UF. If it is Engineering, I would do cost/benefit analysis to come to decision. What are your parents saying?
Your coop salary/opportunities heavily will depend of major.
CS majors can make a lot of money after any reputable school.