<p>It depends on whether you want the Big 10 U experience or the LAC experience. Both are good places. Personally I would opt for OSU, but both are good choices.</p>
<p>Yeah, I was thinking about OSU, but it just worries me about passing up Bucknell…for example, after 15 years in the field, Bucknell grads make about $30,000 more than OSU…now, i’ll probablly not get my masters from Bucknell, but still</p>
<p>Two VERY different schools. If you’re wanting the Big school experience with somewhat smaller classes, and more individualized attention, then go with The Ohio State University. Bucknell is steeped in the undergraduate experience and offers everything OSU’s honors program offers to the general student population (and then still the opportunity to do an honors program within that population). These schools will both offer you a great education, but they are immensely different as far as feel. Good luck!</p>
<p>The Bucknell Honors program is different from the OSU honors program in that the Bucknell Honors program doesn’t offer more rigorous courses to “honors” students. The Bucknell Honors program allows a student the opportunity to conduct research and write an honors thesis. Honors candidates must give an oral presentation to a faculty panel and after a successful examination by the panel, the student will graduate with honors (not to be mistaken with latin honors). Also, Bucknell has a very small graduate program, so depending on what your intended major is, obtaining a master’s degree may not even be an option. This is the largest difference between a LAC (Bucknell) and a national research university (OSU). Regarding Bucknell’s small town nature, I don’t mind living in Lewisburg since I don’t really need a reason to leave campus. When I was deciding between Case Western (which is in Cleveland) and Bucknell, I could not picture myself living in a bustling urban environment for 4 years. Bucknell has a very country-club-esque feel to it and it’s very calming. If you haven’t already visited Bucknell, I would suggest attending admitted students day which is on 18th.</p>
<p>Almost everyone in the country has heard of Ohio State. Only a certain sector of the population has heard of Bucknell. OSU will give you a much larger alumni network which will help every single time you start a new job hunt for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>“after 15 years in the field, Bucknell grads make about $30,000 more than OSU” </p>
<p>Which field? Your potential major field? Even then, what happens if you change fields?</p>
<p>“Leaving tuition costs out of the equation, which school is better?”</p>
<p>Can you really, truly leave tuition costs out of your equation? What sort of financial aid did you receive? Does it make your expenses the same? Is it guaranteed for all four years? Do you need to maintain a certain GPA to keep it?</p>
<p>If your question really is “Is Bucknell better enough than the OSU honors program to make a difference for X amount of increased debt?” Chances are, the answer is “No”.</p>
<p>I’ve recieved about $8500 from OSU (national buckeye scholar and board of trustees scholarship). I am a national merit finalist (and have $1000 from Colgate), but haven’t received anything from OSU regarding that yet.</p>
<p>From Bucknell, I have recieved $5,500 in loans and $32,000 in scholarships from the school. So, OSU is about $19,000 and Bucknell about $15,000</p>
<p>I think the fact you’re a national merit finalist indicates that you’ll be successful regardless of whether you attend OSU or Bucknell. So, if your heart says OSU, then go for it.</p>
<p>Did OSU offer any loans? If not, you should calculate the same loan amount into your equation: 19k - 5.5k = 13.5k This makes OSU look 1.5 k cheaper.</p>
<p>When you compare aid packages, you need to be very careful to look at all of the different factors that each institution includes in the Cost of Attendance (COA). Some don’t include realistic figures for books or transportation. You also need to carefully account for the loan money. You are entitled to the same amount of Stafford Loan money regardless of the institution you attend.</p>
<p>First of all, I’d be going to OSU as an out-of-state student…they’ve given me about $8250 in scholarship so far (but that’s the basic scholarships starting out [national buckeye scholarship and board of trustees scholarship]) but i’m hoping for more.</p>
<p>School, Staring Median Salary, Mid-Career Median Salary
Ohio State University (OSU) $44,900 $83,700
Bucknell University $54,100 $110,000</p>
<p>The only problem is: “All data used to produce the Education Package were collected from employees who successfully completed PayScale’s employee survey.”</p>