<p>I hear about all these protest, student debt, and how the unemployment is high.</p>
<p>I just want to know what everyone's opinion is towards going to a good college and paying high tuition rates vs. going to a local college?</p>
<p>Many local colleges are good colleges.</p>
<p>They are not mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>Also, tuition rate does not necessarily correlate with quality of education. Prestige, maybe, but not quality of education.</p>
<p>getting a good education and pay higher tuition vs getting a cheap (or slightly similar) education at a decent university is what I want to know. Is it worth the investment?</p>
<p>I know if you go into a good university and get your 4 year degree, your job chances are good. But whats the point in this tough economy? The economy is failing and is not getting back up, so I really don’t see any hope in improvements in jobs, they are just being sent to India and China because people there earn low wages.</p>
<p>getting a good education and pay higher tuition vs getting a cheap (or slightly similar) education at a decent university is what I want to know. Is it worth the investment?</p>
<p>If this is all you want to know, then go for cheap (or slightly similar) education at a decent university. That’s a no brainer.</p>
<p>In any economy you have to make this decision, maybe people are just more careful in a down economy. Remember the economy always cycles, take a long term view. But realize that more college grads are having trouble landing jobs.</p>
<p>It is unwise to take on a heavy debt burden for your undergrad degree. I don’t know what some kids are thinking, considering spending crazy amounts unless the parents can well afford it. Kids in the middle do get priced out except at state schools. You should always be able to find a reasonable alternatives. Doing your best in high school may increase your options. Just do your research on state schools who have honors programs, smaller LAC’s that you might not know about who give good merit awards.</p>
<p>Who is saying a local college isn’t a good college? I suspect the list of ‘good’ schools is larger than you think. Don’t let the uninformed ‘man on the street’ cloud your viewpoint. There are tons of good schools that your neighbor has never heard of. After that, get to the best school you can afford.</p>
<p>BrownParent:</p>
<p>Here’s my definition of good college: any state university. for a local/decent college: I guess any local college.</p>
<p>I am a CC student getting ready to transfer, I am having a tough time deciding whether I should go to a local university or a good university (state). The only reason why I am in CC is because I was not ready after high school for university education, I needed more time to prepare myself. (but now I hate being here…)</p>
<p>To me cost really matters, I really want to go to a state university but in this economy, its just setting me off. So I just wanted to know what people would do if they were in my position.</p>
<p>If someone can answer this: What is honor’s program, do you have to pay extra for this?(I am going into engineering if that helps)</p>
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<p>What you do in college is a lot more important than where you go. You can get into a very prestigious college, slide through, and get a degree. (I am not saying this appies to everyone at prestigious schools.) Or you can go to a less-prestigious college, work your tail off, develop your intellect, and get a degree that is really worth something. The prestigious college’s degree might (or might not) get you that good first job, but it won’t sustain you for 40 years of working life. The experience at the college where you busted your butt to take maximum advantage of the opportunity will serve you well throughout life.</p>
<p>So, back to your question - is it worth the money to go to a “good” college - yes, because any college can be a good college for you if you’re determined to make it one.</p>
<p>Every college is someone’s local college, including Harvard, Oxford, etc.</p>
<p>Unless you’re going into a STEM field, it isn’t worth it. (although i have heard engineers on this forum say that pay for engineers is pretty standard wherever you go)</p>
<p>annasdad:</p>
<p>To some employers it does matter what college you go to and what GPA you manage to achieve, a good college really matters. </p>
<p>I am just a bit skeptical about where the economy is headed. I think I will go to a good (state) university for my engineering degree. If I have earned a 3.7+ GPA in CC, why should I waste my chance?</p>
<p>beyphy:</p>
<p>Where are you getting your facts from? how do you know that pay for engineers are the same? I thought it was a bit different.</p>
<p>“What is honor’s program, do you have to pay extra for this?(I am going into engineering if that helps)” </p>
<p>Honor’s programs are for the top students (high stats and gpa). It does not cost extra, but has some requirements such as maintaining a certain gpa. Where do you live? Maybe some CC posters can recommend some local and in-state engineering schools.</p>
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<p>Very, very few.</p>
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<p>Absolutely</p>
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<p>Yes, but you don’t seem to understand that any college can be a “good” college for you.</p>
<p>When the economy is good, it is much easier for any college student to get a job. When time gets worse, “better known” college graduates will have a better chance of getting the first job.</p>
<p>There are many people who graduated from average colleges with humanities degrees are taking trade courses at CC in order to get a job. Unless the state school you are going to is a top school, I don’t think it would be worth it to going great debt, except if it offers a specific major which would help you in getting a job after graduation.</p>
<p>Your education and life goals are most definitely worth going to a good college. I believe the question you wanted to know the answer to was Community College vs. University. I work at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, GA and I spoke with them about the same concern you are having. Every person in my department graduated from a technical school, and we are the 2nd highest grossing department in the whole hospital. I work in Radiology. Some things you need to consider. 1. What is my career choice. 2. Can I accomplish all of my career goals at a tech school, or will I have to transfer. 3. Am I the type of person who cares about the prestige of the school. (which many people do, but if they offer what you want, and you can accomplish your goals there, forget what other say and do what is best for you) 4. Core classes. 5. Intra and extra curricular activities. 6. Graduation speed. There are a lot of factors that play into choosing the right school for you. Most technical colleges allow more time for hands-on work compared to a University. You can also contact both Admissions offices to speak with them privately about the differences and how they could affect you. I hope you find what you are looking for, and the best of luck to you.</p>
<p>
Quoted for truth.</p>
<p>Haha. funny, but true.</p>
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<p>Source? …</p>
<p>Also, to add to my message from earlier, saying that only big universities are good schools is an insult to great local universities. I know several more people who have achieved their goals from attending a local university.</p>
<p>Dont worry too much about the economy right now. The economy cycles…It will face a really bad GDP growth for a period of time and then it will spark back up. Don’t let these little things make your life pessimistic. It is like me saying: “whats the point of going to college if there is a big possibility that there will be a nuclear war in the future or some devastating event that wipes out humanity”. Thinking like that can make you less successful even in a great economy! You just follow through with life and just hope for the best and prepare for the worst. </p>
<p>If you need to be successful, then just do it. If you are deciding whether you should go to a cheaper college or a more prestigious college because of money, then go for the cheaper college…duh. Even if the economy gets good, you still need to be able to pay for college. And if the economy totally sucks, the colleges will know that you cannot pay your debts so you won’t have any legal requirements to pay them…</p>
<p>What are we talking about here?</p>
<p>Harvard v. State Flagship?</p>
<p>If your family gets no financial aid from H, the failing economy isn’t a concern in the first place.</p>
<p>I will give a real life example of when well known degree mattered. My SIL graduated from Barnard and master from U. Chicago, with a fluff East Asian Studies major. She never really worked because she moved around with my brother and raised 2 kids. She was recently hired by a top ranking Uni in their international affairs department as a professional staff. She was one of 100 applicants. I don’t think she would even have made it to interview if she didn’t have have the right pedigree.</p>