<p>So as an undergrad at Dornsife, the 2013-2014 school year will cost around 63k. I received around 53k in gift aid, $2500 in work study, and will be taking the $5500 in federal loans. My question for alumni/college graduates/even current students is this: is it worth it?
If I don't receive any scholarships in the next four years, I will probably be in ~25k worth of debt when I graduate. Is a USC education/the Trojan experience worth it?
Please answer honestly, and thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I’m fairly certain 20-25k debt is average.</p>
<p>But is that average worth it?</p>
<p>That is a question only you can answer based on many things. For some 25k debt is insurmountable and for others $250K debt isn’t that much. The people that are paying the full $62,000 to go there would think yours is a silly question obviously. Depends on perspective, so you have to decide what yours is.</p>
<p>It also depends on your major. Engineering majors, nursing applicants, etc… shouldn’t have too much trouble paying 25k debt off since their fields are pretty stable and thriving. On the other hand, I would say an art major (or even film because you have to be extremely good to stand out) would have a more difficult time. With that being said, most people will have around 20k debt coming out of college unless they got insane financial aid or their parents are somehow willing to not take any loans and pay for the entire tuition.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s an average amount of debt for an average degree at an average institution. Whether or not it’s worth it depends on how you evaluate USC. Mileage will vary depending on your major, but I would point out (and with full transparency, I’m an Annenberg major) that even “fluff” majors earned at USC will at least grant you a good shot at an excellent grad school. </p>
<p>Disagree about SCA majors having difficulty paying off $25,000 worth of student loan debt. If there’s one school in one geographic location worth $25,000 of debt to pursue filmmaking, it’s definitely USC. Yes, you may not be the next George Lucas, but a lot of graduates go on to have healthy careers in production (union jobs, mind you!). And there are a lot of professionals on campus. I mean, I have friends that spent that much on two-year NYFA degrees that are close to paying off their loans after just ten years. And that’s a program with a weak alumni network and next to no pedigree.</p>
<p>Yeah sorry I just mentioned film pretty randomly.</p>
<p>I am in almost exactly the same situation as you, financial aid wise. Our dollar amounts are nearly identical. I’m in my last year of the Cinematic Arts program and I thought it was extremely worth it. I think it depends on your major. The experiences and opportunities I’ve had at USC are far superior to those that my friends at other film schools have had, and most of them are paying twice as much as I am. My university grant covers most of my tuition and I use the remaining loans to pay my monthly rent (for safety, expect at least $700/month in Los Angeles though it’s possible to find something cheaper). I have some loan money left over too, so it’s not like I’m spending it all - just hanging on to it in case I need it before I have to start paying it off.</p>
<p>I think people tend to say that you should only take out as much as you expect to make when you graduate. 25-30k is a reasonable starting salary if you intend to work a desk/office job in film (like as an assistant, which is what most of my friends are doing) for a while, and that’s roughly how much debt I’ll graduate with. I’m totally fine with it and I know I will be able to pay it off if I budget carefully - it also helps that you can start paying off interest while you’re still enrolled.</p>
<p>The problems begin when you take out 150-200k in loans and CAN’T reasonably expect to pay them back (and I know many people who have done this).</p>
<p>syk, it sounds to me like you’ll be responsible for paying about $6,000/year of school–which includes paying for your room and board. If you can get a 4-year degree somewhere–anywhere–for less, you should compare that college to USC, specifically by department/major. If you can save $25K (loans for USC) and get a full ride somewhere else, it is worth considering. Most folks have nowhere near that choice, so it’s hard for others to suggest what might be worth it. Debt free is often worth it, if you have that choice.</p>