<p>Thanks for the responses. The basis for the question is trying to get a feel for the value in paying the difference in tuition from one school to another.</p>
<p>The flagship engineering school for our state’s university system is pretty well regarded (it seems to consistently end up in the top 30 of most lists I’ve seen) … my son has already attended some of the information and open house sessions for the engineering school and he will definitely apply there. Using the general recommendation that you apply for the school you want and a “safety” school (another university in the state system has a much smaller engineering program [primarily because it hasn’t been around nearly as long] so he would also apply to that), though I expect given his SATs, GPA and class rank, he should have a very good chance for the flagship program. But the applying-to-college advice is to consider also applying for a “stretch” school. </p>
<p>One he’s interested in as a “stretch” is a public university in a nearby state that is listed as one of the top 10 engineering programs on practically every ranking you see (at times, in the top 5). I think he could have a realistic chance of being accepted, but just its out-of-state tuition (I’m sure partly attributed to its reputation overall) puts its cost close to triple what we’d pay for our local state university. Yes, I know there are all sort of scholarships available, but not sure how much that could possibly offset the difference. In fact, it might very well be that the fact he would be a source of out-of-state level tuition might even improve his being accepted (more income for the college for that “seat” vs. an in-state candidate), so less likely the school itself would be interested in offering any breaks.</p>
<p>So I guess as the one writing the checks, I’m trying to get my head around what I could potentially be paying for … if the “potential” possibly available from the stretch school makes the significant hike in costs worthwhile.</p>
<p>Have any other parents on the forum gone through a similar decision process?</p>