<p>I know there's a bunch of threads with this question already, but I'm trying to get some specific information from different points of view.</p>
<p>I want to know if you think that going to a name-brand, top-tier institution is worth extra debt when compared to going to non-name-brand such as a state college. I will leave the interpretation of "extra debt", "name-brand top-tier", and "worth it" up to you. I am just trying to get a feel for peoples' opinions on this subject.</p>
<p>The two bits of information I am looking for are (choose one from each set of choices):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>(It's worth it., It's not worth it.)</p></li>
<li><p>(I attended a name-brand school., I attended a non-name-brand school., I have attended both)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Feel free to discuss additional information if you like, but please pick from the above choices. And please keep in mind that this is a poll, not a debate.</p>
<p>Are you talking about the difference between no debt at all, and the federal loan maximum ($5,500 freshman year, $6,500 sophomore year, $7,500 junior year, $7,500 senior year for a grand total of $27,000)?</p>
<p>Are you talking about the difference between the maximum in subsidized loans ($19,000 total) and the maximum including unsubsidized loans ($27,000 total)?</p>
<p>Are you including the maximum in Perkins loans? Is the student independent? Were the students parents rejected when they applied for a PLUS?</p>
<p>What is the degree program? Does it lead directly to employment in a field where it is easy to get a job (such as Nursing and some branches of Engineering)? What is the likelihood that the student will indeed actually complete that degree program, rather than change the major to a field where employment is not flat-out guaranteed?</p>
<p>Are there family members who are ready, willing, and able to pay down the debt if the student can’t or won’t?</p>
<p>There are very few instances in which taking on more than the federal loan maximum can be justified. “Name-brand” for “name-brand” sake is not one of them.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>How much extra debt?</p></li>
<li><p>Which specific colleges?</p></li>
<li><p>What are your major and post-graduation goals?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>For example, suppose the two colleges are San Jose State and Dartmouth. The answer may differ for a computer science major aiming for a job in Silicon Valley versus an economics major aiming for a job in Wall Street. And which one results in more debt depends on the student’s family situation.</p>
<p>Agree with the other posters. It is meaningless as a poll with those questions. How much debt and what will your ability be to pay it off make all the difference when answering these questions.</p>
<p>Ok, I intentionally left it vague and open ended. Most people seem to have a general opinion that falls one way or the other. All I wanted to do is compare the opinions of people who have gone to the top schools to those who have not to see if there was a trend of bias. I don’t know how I am going to get a wide range of opinions if I am specifying every detail. By the time a give a specific major, dollar amount, a specific school, family finances, what type of loans, and post graduation plans, I will probably have screened out everyone on the forum.</p>
<p>People will still have an opinion regardless of their personal experience. But the true answer to your question for any thinking person is “it depends”. The answer is completely different for someone who is thinking about taking out $20,000 of debt for an engineering degree at a top school vs. someone who is thinking about taking out $80,000 in debt for an English degree at a top school. It isn’t “screening out” to give details. It is providing the context needed to give a rational answer. Anyone who thinks they can answer that question out of context is probably someone you wouldn’t want to listen to anyway.</p>
<p>There are lots of other “prestige war” threads on these forums. Your question looks like you are trying to ■■■■■ another such thread that brings nothing new.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Actually, a lot of people have an “it depends” opinion, and even those who have a vague bias to your vague question may change their opinion with the specifics.</p>
<p>Not usually. The only people who benefit from going to name brand schools are low ses/urm students. Unless you fall into one of those categories, you’ll have the similar outcomes if you went to a non name-brand university, assuming you’re motivated. </p>
<p>Also realize that people go into debt for things other than academics. Alexandre for example has recommend Michigan a number of times over a cheaper university for overall college experience. And I personally wouldn’t have gone to UCLA if there was a closer and cheaper UC available (e.g. Davis, Santa Cruz, etc. ) </p>
<p>There really is no answer other than it depends since everyone has different views on the matter.</p>
<p>You’ve gotten some good advice. My experience is it’s not worth it. I attended brand name state school for next to nothing. that was well worth it given price tag and I got a good education. i also attended private ultra name brand in my field; extra cost was not worth it despite little debt upon graduation. And I graduated during economic downturn so it still took me awhile to find work even with name brand credentials. in my case, I would have better off to have gone somewhere less costly and spent the money I would have saved differently. The name brand was not a good match for me which contributes to my observations. a name brand that also “fits” you might be worth it if it’s not too much debt and odds are great you can pay debt off in reasonable time frame. But again, my state school education was excellent and quite frankly, the educational experience was far more enjoyable.</p>
<p>The OP’s posting history indicates community college -> University of Texas - Arlington bachelor’s degree -> Stanford graduate study, in electrical engineering.</p>
<p>“Also realize that people go into debt for things other than academics. Alexandre for example has recommend Michigan a number of times over a cheaper university for overall college experience.”</p>
<p>When have I ever recommend one attend Michigan over a cheaper option if it entailed getting into debt? I always say it is not worth getting into debt and that a person should only choose the more expensive option if the family is able to afford it with relative ease.</p>
<p>Ah you’re right Alexandre, my mistake. You’ve recommended Michigan when it was the more expensive option, but not when it involved the OP going into significant debt. I must have been blending ‘debt’ and ‘money’ subconsciously (i.e. is a name brand college worth extra money.) Sorry for putting words in your mouth.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It is worth paying some price premium for a college that meets your needs better than a less expensive alternative (if you can afford to do so.) However, paying more money just to attend a more prestigious/selective school won’t assure higher future earnings, a better shot at med school, or a happier life. It may buy you smaller classes, more distinguished professors, better research opportunities, or more talented classmates. Whether any of that results in greater personal fulfillment depends largely on your own values and efforts. If you do value those things, and can make them work for you, you won’t necessarily find your best match at the very most prestigious school that accepts you. </p></li>
<li><p>I attended a prestigious private college. Wife attended a state flagship. She’s smarter than I am, better-looking, and has more friends. I make more money. These differences have nothing to do with where we went to college.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>2. I attended a prestigious private college. Wife attended a state flagship. She’s smarter than I am, better-looking, and has more friends. I make more money. These differences have nothing to do with where we went to college.</p>
<p>lol Too funny. But sounds like you lucked out. :)</p>
But the true answer to your question for any thinking person is “it depends”. The answer is completely different for someone who is thinking about taking out $20,000 of debt for an engineering degree at a top school vs. someone who is thinking about taking out $80,000 in debt for an English degree at a top school. It isn’t “screening out” to give details. It is providing the context needed to give a rational answer. Anyone who thinks they can answer that question out of context is probably someone you wouldn’t want to listen to anyway.</p>