<p>If your EFC is much more than Penn State’s total COA, then yes, the other schools will cost mucht more. With a very low EFC, chances are, a well-endowed private school will wind up being cost-competitive with your state university. Maybe even cheaper. Of course, you won’t know for sure until all results are in.</p>
<p>If cost is not an issue, I’d recommend any of the 3 private schools over Penn State. Chicago, Haverford or Vassar can offer smaller classes, more distinguished professors, few or no TAs, more class discussion, and more written assignments with significant feedback by the professor.</p>
<p>Of those 3, I recommend Chicago, unless you are sure you’d prefer a small LAC. Chicago has one of the best student-faculty ratios in the country, with more classes under 20 students than most LACs (<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/708190-avg-class-size.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/708190-avg-class-size.html</a>). It has a superb faculty, including one of the most distinguished economics faculty in the world.
[Economics</a> / Business-Academic Rankings of World Universities (ARWU)2010-Top Universities](<a href=“http://www.university-list.net/rank/univ-110048.html]Economics”>Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 | Top Universities | Best Universities P2/4 - Education Rankings)</p>
<p>If Penn State winds up being cheaper by some more or less painful amount, the choice could be difficult. Only you and your family can decide at which point the advantages of a more expensive school are no longer worth it.</p>