<p>Okay, I finished my Freshman year at one of the CC Top Universities and loved my experience and the program I'm in (Finance and International Business). I'm already 15,000+ in debt (private loans) and am deciding whether or not to return to finish my last three years there. I figure w/ my parents' help I'll graduate with 70-80,000 in debt that I will be responsible for. The avg. starting salary for grads from my program is around 54,000.</p>
<p>My other option is to transfer to a state school, finish, and graduate w/ 20k or less in loans. There is a big disparity in the prestige/career opportunities between where I went last year and my state school. </p>
<p>If money were no object it would be a no-brainer--I'd head back east to finish my degree. What would you do?</p>
<p>Have you already exhausted all the possible scholarships available to you?</p>
<p>I'd transfer to a state school is that's all the aid you can scrape together, but that's just me. I'd hate to be completely enslaved to my student loans.</p>
<p>I need to spend more time looking at outside private scholarships, but even if I get a few of those there is a huge gap between the debt load I'll be in if I finish back east instead of in-state. I'm just trying to think about my long-term earning potential/career opportunities/what will make me happy. The idea of giving up on my opportunity is discouraging but I don't want to enslave myself in monthly payments either. pros and cons........</p>
<p>Going to that prestigious eastern school will help you with your networking, but you need to keep your eyes on the distant future. Do you have plans for graduate or professional school? If so, then perhaps racking up such high amounts of debt just completing your undergrad isn't worth it.</p>