<p>Hello all,
I'm just thinking out loud looking for advice from wherever possible. I am from Minnesota and got in UCSB. UCSB has been my dream school for a few years, but the thought of paying $50,000 per year is really killing me. I just can't justify it. I can go to UW-Madison for half the price and receive the same, if not better, education. Really, the main reason I want to go to UCSB is because of its location. My favorite city in the world is SB and the prospect of living near there for four years is amazing. But like I said, I just cannot justify spending $200,000 college when it comes down to receiving an education.</p>
<p>Go to UW-Madison and move to SB after you graduate, then you can live and work here without worrying about paying $100,000 in debt. It’s really not worth it, dear, the beach will probably distract you more then anything.</p>
<p>200k is only worth for an upper IVY league (HYP)/MIT/Stanford tuition , IMMHO </p>
<p>if you were asking me , not even Berkeley, LA or even Cornell would be worth it.</p>
<p>Hell, I’m in-state and I can’t really justify spending $24,000 a year on this. If I could do it over again, I’d probably be at my local community college. If the thought of paying $50,000 a year ‘kills’ you, imagine how you’re actually going to feel when you read your loan statement and you see that you’ve dug yourself into a $50,000 hole just for a year at UCSB. And then the interest! Fun!</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t share the enthusiasm for the city of Santa Barbara that others might (considering that it’s actually not that close), so I can’t relate to the idea of choosing UCSB for its location. And I’m not a beach-o-phile, but I don’t think that the scenery should figure too much into the perceived value of a university.</p>
<p>But you sound like you’ve got your head on straight… go to UW-Madison, even though the cost of attendance there isn’t anything to sniff at, either.</p>
<p>Did you discover the UCSB OOS Cost of Attendance now? </p>
<p>You have had a lot of time to reflect on your dream school, Santa Barbara, the wonderful Cali sun and the fabulous students. So what changed after your admission. Why do you think UCSB admitted you? Did you expect a full ride?</p>
<p>I’m a big fan of UCSB, but I don’t think any UC is worth $50K/year. With $3K every year you can spend all summer living on the beach, and you’ll still be over $100K ahead when you graduate UW-Madison.</p>
<p>UCSB is awesome…but don’t waste your money.</p>
<p>Dream crashes into Reality. In these uncertain economic times 200K to chase a “dream college experience” is hard to justify.</p>
<p>I am in a very similar situation. I am from Alaska I have a choice between Oregon State University (half the price), and UCSB. I went to visit both campuses during spring break, and I absolutely love SB. It is pretty much my dream school. Despite the price I am leaning towards attending UCSB because I would rather regret having debt to pay off than regret not knowing what my life might have been if I went to the school of my dreams.</p>
<p>My sister went to UC Berkeley out of state. She attended graduate school, and her financial situation is fine. Although, she is a very lucky and exceptional person.</p>
<p>Don’t say that man!!! Now I have to think about your prespective and apply it to me… I was so close to sending in my Madison acceptence letter yesterday, now I’m not so sure. I suppose I’ll probably just stick with Madison though. Too damn expensive…</p>
<p>What about USC?</p>
<p>Honestly., you should just send in your Madison acceptance letter. It’s not worth it to spend 50k a year on UCSB, though it may be a decent school. You’re probably going to get an equal education at Madison and it is definitely more cost-effective. Don’t overpay for your education.</p>
<p>No worries man. I live in Alaska and the possibilities for a quality education are very limited. UW Madison is an excellent school so I don’t think you are missing out.</p>
<p>lol… just sharing with you my search for schools: at one point I was VERY informally looking at Anchorage-Alaska because I always enjoy when they come to town for college hockey and our Gophers sweep em 9 out of 10 times.</p>