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<p>I’m well aware of the issues with payscale. Nevertheless I would not completely dismiss it as “crap”. It has virtually no value in making fine distinctions among similar schools. However, with some interesting exceptions, the kinds of schools that rise to the top by and large are what one might expect: highly selective private schools (especially for mid-career earnings) and engineering schools (especially for starting pay). It falls to studies like the Krueger & Dale work to examine whether these patterns are attributable to real educational quality differences, to so-called “selection effects”, or something else.</p>
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<p>In the OP’s case, we’re talking about a rather small out-of-pocket cost difference.</p>
<p>The objective quality differences between a Dartmouth College and a fair-to-middling state university are striking. Sure, you can quibble with (or explain away) just about any metric you choose (including the average salary outcomes). However, when one measurement after another so strongly favors Dartmouth, I’d say it’s worth an extra $1500. (Assuming cost is the major decision factor … which I don’t think is the case here).</p>
<p>tk21769, thank you! Ill be sure to show them that study in hopes that they will listen. And I realize that I’m receiving a great opportunity here, but I’m not sure they do. And I don’t know how to convince them of it.</p>
<p>M’s Mom, In addition to the finances and location (which I’m not sure of the problem), they largely hate northern attitudes/people, and dislike the prestige/richness of the ivy leage schools. We’ve never been truly close, so I dont know why they’d want me near now, but whatever.</p>
<p>I pointed out the pay differences and they attributed all of it to higher taxes and property value in the north. See what i’m dealing with?</p>
<p>Oshunlide, as a mature adult, you should take this opportunity to talk with them about their concerns. What exactly about ‘northern attitudes/people’ upset them? What about ‘prestige/richness’ concerns them? It sounds like they may be worried about the values of the culture you would be surrounded by and how it will impact your relationship with them. That’s not irrational or foolish. It’s a real risk when you send you kids to a school where the culture and values are foreign to your own. The fact that you are not close right now probably makes it seem even more likely to them that you will reject not just their values, but them as well.</p>
<p>I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t go to Dartmouth - and if you don’t need their financial support than that decision is yours alone - but recognize that their concerns are legitimate and unless you address them (or at least acknowledge them), you are setting yourself up for future full of conflict and disappointment on both sides.</p>
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<p>Are they afraid that, after living in New Hampshire, you will come back a libertarian?</p>
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<p>Dartmouth College is a national institution. It draws students and faculty from all over the country (and to some extent, the world). Only 20% of the class of 2015 come from New England. Nearly as many come from out West ([Class</a> Profile](<a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/facts/class.html]Class”>http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/facts/class.html)). Without looking at any data, I would assume Dartmouth alumni do have a higher per capita representation than South Carolina alumni in high cost-of-living areas such as Boston, NYC, San Francisco (and possibly Atlanta) … but I would say that should be a good thing from your perspective. It would indicate that Dartmouth alumni are getting more jobs in a variety of competitive markets. It may in fact be the case that a student’s willingness to attend a selective “national” institution, aside from educational quality differences per se, accounts for much of the income differential (because it indicates a stronger propensity to seek out rewarding opportunities regardless of location). If you’re going to confine yourself to a small regional job market, it stands to reason you may have fewer highly rewarding choices. </p>
<p>I don’t think the pay difference between a Wall Street investment banker and a small town regional branch bank manager in South Carolina can all be attributed to cost of living. Not nearly. Your parents must have other issues (like, with the concept of “Wall Street investment banker”). </p>
<p>New Hampshire, by the way, has no general sales tax and no tax on wage income. It is the only US state other than Alaska that collects neither of these taxes.</p>
<p>If you have the drive/ability to be a WS IBer you are likely to be more than a small town branch manager. That is a big point of the DK study. And you can live very well in SC on MUCH less than in NYC and without the pressure to have more and more stuff.</p>
<p>M’s Mom, Yes, I’d suppose they’re against the whole culture of the north.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus, haha probably.</p>
<p>tk, thanks again, that was very informative! And obviously I agree with everything you say lol.</p>