<p>If you had a career path that would lead to lucrative employment, it “might” be worth a substantial debt to attend NYU. I can’t imagine that kind of debt while you are still deciding what you want to do. You will be limiting your future options tremendously. Go to GW, enjoy a really beautiful, clean, exciting environment there, and visit NYC occasionally for fun.</p>
<p>I probably would’ve accepted the debt if I was in Stern or maybe even Tisch, but since that wasn’t the case, I went with GW</p>
<p>Zoldberg,</p>
<p>A wise and practical choice. I am sure you will do well and have a great learning experience at GW. Congrats on your choice (which will leave with far less debt, if any, from GW). :)</p>
<p>Congrats on making a decision and good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t think LSP or Tisch is worth that much debt. But I think that CAS (the majors with high rankings, and no pre-med/law), Gallatin, and obviously Stern are worth the amount of debt.</p>
<p>Education is an investment. You will have an NYU degree throughout your whole life. You will be part of NYU’s alumni network. If you play your cards right, you can make it a viable and promising future. </p>
<p>The first few years will be tough. You will be tight for cash. But when it is all paid off - and you know it will be - it will be so rewarding.</p>
<p>uhhh monoclide, what non-pre med/law major in CAS would allow me to pay off 140K in a reasonable amount of time</p>
<p>Econ, philosophy, or IR. Those are all incredibly renowned programs in CAS with some incredible career opportunities and earning potential right out of the gate. A few CAS econ kids place onto Wall Street every year, the philosophy program is considered one of if not the unrivaled best in the world, and IR is very prestigious and demanding and recruited from.</p>
<p>I’m a philosophy, politics and psychology triple major. And of those majors listed by hellodocks, Econ is the ONLY one capable of coming even remotely close to being able to pay off that kind of debt. As my first post in this thread indicated, you would have to pay off around $20,000/yr JUST in LOAN PAYMENTS. </p>
<p>(1) A graduate of philosophy WILL NOT get a job. Even the philosophy department will tell you that you NEED a graduate degree to go ANYWHERE in Philosophy. And there are MANY people with PhD’s in philosophy who are not employed. Philosophy is notorious for being a degree that will get nothing. I would put Tisch majors at a higher worth at $140,000 of debt than I would philosophy. </p>
<p>(2) As far as politics goes, you can’t afford $140,000 in debt. I’m not sure how hellodocks thinks this is at all possible… but if they read my first post… An ‘average’ college graduate salary for a politics degree is between $50,000-$60,000/yr. Right away deduct taxes. Then deduct loan payments. You’re left with… $15,000-$25,000/yr to live off of. (This is only Federal Income tax of 25%. Include state taxes as well). Last time I checked, you cannot reasonably pay a mortgage/car/insurance/miscellaneous living expenses/etc, on this salary.</p>
<p>So, as far as my knowledge goes, Philosophy and Politics cannot afford $140,000 worth of debt. Even economics could be hard pressed to reasonably afford this.</p>
<p>Also, the IR program at GW is ranked higher than NYU. And it doesn’t matter how prestigious the philosophy department is…prestige can’t pay loans.</p>