Is Duke worth the money?

<p>Duke's tuition and room and board total around 49000 a year, overall, it would be around 200,000 dollars to go here for all four years. Or i could go to UNC Chapel hill for around 35000 dollars a year and 140000 dollars all four years. I'm planning to get my MBA as well so money is an issue. Both are academically strong but Duke is obviously better, Which should i go to because i got in to both and would run track at whichever i choose but theres not really any chances in scholarships for non revenue sports. Based on Network, prestige in the professional life, and anything else you could think of... I'm planning on doing something with buisness and would like to work in NYC, which helps there as well.
Thanks ahead of time!</p>

<p>Depends how wealthy your family is and if it would be a financial burden and/or the amount of need-based financial aid you receive. And, also, the other options that you have. As nobody knows your family’s financial situation, we cannot answer if Duke is worth the money. A lot of people seem to think it is, though, but that’s up to you and your family to decide. If you have to go $200k in debt, then I would say, no, it’s not worth the money, but since Duke meets 100% of everybody’s financial need, it’s basically impossible that you’d have to take out that much in loans unless your parents are rich and simply refuse to help you pay for college. Duke ends up being cheaper than a lot of state schools for some students. Duke has a really great alumni network in NYC and that’s the #1 destination for new grads.</p>

<p>So it is a $60K difference. A few questions to consider:
Would you be happy in a smaller school (UG 6500) or larger school (UG 18,000)
Can you finish in 4 years at UNC? (in the case of Univ. of Cal. it is very unlikely)
If you can’t finish in 4 years add the fifth year costs
What is the opportunity cost of being in school that one extra year?
Most of all, like bluedog said, there is something to be said about the alumni network.</p>

<p>that makes sense, do they give financial aid to middle class families?</p>

<p>Yes, somebody who is in the median of household income in the United States would receive a FULL RIDE to Duke. But what you think as middle class may be different than what is actually middle class. The median household income in this country was about $50k/year. People at Duke whose families earn $100k or more may also obtain financial aid, however, but not a full ride.</p>

<p>I have an MBA.</p>

<p>In my opinion, if you get a BBA from a top school, this may obviate the need to get an MBA.</p>

<p>The MBA degree has been severely cheapened over the past 20 years.</p>

<p>They are now a dime a dozen.</p>

<p>oh that makes sense thank you</p>

<p>To clarify, Duke’s COA for 2011/12 was $57,000+, not $49,000. Sure to rise.</p>