<p>As an out of states students at UCLA I would be paying almost the same amount of tuition as many top private universities--the only difference is that I will have a public school education. I have heard people say that paying out of state tuition for an "average" university is a dumb decision but seeing that UCLA is a top university, is it justifiable to pay approximately 50,000 a year. Also, are other top public universities like Berkeley, University of Virginia, and Michigan worth the out of state fee?</p>
<p>It depends on what you want in a school. A large school was not for me, so I would never pay that for any public when I could get into a smaller LAC type school. Also, if you are interested in public schools, what is your state’s public school? If that is your dream school there is nothing wrong with it.</p>
<p>UCLA is a great school, both academically and athletically. I would love to play basketball for that school. In terms of academics, I believe that students will learn as much material if not more at UCLA than many good private universities (such as Notre Dame or Rice). Plus there’s many more majors to choose from at UCLA than at smaller privates.</p>
<p>Given the budget crisis, all of the cuts and the low 4 year graduation rate, not in my opinion.</p>
<p>You are happy to pay for CMU, correct?<br>
Aren’t they the same? Big classes, small endowment, similar student body.</p>
<p>UCLA and CMU are definitely NOT the same.</p>
<p>Well of course, UCLA is better :)</p>
<p>OP, if you really like UCLA then you should definitely apply there. Its definitely a great school academically. You can tell by their prerequisite requirements for every major. For example, in engineering, every student must take a series of rigorous math, chem, physics classes before taking any engineering classes. In addition to that, UCLA has a general breadth requirement to keep all students well rounded. All in all, every graduating student has to have at least 180+ credits to graduate (this may be why UCLA has a low four year graduation rates). I’m sure UCLA students are as well prepared as top private school students when it comes to graduate school or the workforce.</p>
<p>Just to let you know, I’m also an out of state student and will be attending this fall.</p>
<p>Private schools will offer you a lot more aid than the bankrupt California government.</p>
<p>That may be true but most private schools are just as bad off as the UC system. Just take a look at how much money Harvard lost. That just goes to show that no university is immune to the recession.</p>
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<p>Simply untrue among the schools that compete with UCLA for students.</p>
<p>Financial aid is not really that important of a factor for me. My family can afford 50,000 a year although it might be slightly demanding on their part. What really matters to me is the value of a UCLA education. Is it really worth 50,000 (on an academic standpoint) a year when other in-state students are paying half that amount? Will I be as prepared as top private school graduate whether it be in the workforce or graduate school. I’m pretty much only worried about the educational value of UCLA since I know I’ll have a great time there socially.</p>
<p>Are you planning to stay in CA? One of the thing about UCs is they don’t have strong alumni networks, and the value of the degree from an employment perspective is much stronger in CA IMO.</p>
<p>It’s a wonderful school, but unless your family has ample money you should apply to other schools. There’s a proposal to raise fees (UC doesn’t have tuition) by 15% twice over the coming year. Is your family prepared to take on that kind of increase, possibly several times over the course of your college career? If you have any plans for grad or professional school, you should also think about spending less on undergrad and saving money for later. </p>
<p>If your parents have enough money that this isn’t an issue, go ahead and apply. If you get in, you can work to convince your parents about UCLA’s virtues. Just be aware that any of the out of state publics you’ve mentioned will likely be reach schools, so you’ll need to balance your list with safety and match schools.</p>
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William & Mary and New College of Florida may be good if you’re interested in more of the smaller LAC-like private school feel while still going public. Both were ranked as some of the best valued colleges in the nation too!</p>
<p>unless you are interested in a specialized program like theater, the short answer is heck no, not worth it.</p>
<p>Don’t think about what the in-state guy is paying. There’s always going to be someone paying less than you, or for whom attending the school is less of a sacrifice, no matter where you go. Think about whether YOU can get:
- A better education for the same price elsewhere
- A similar education for a lower price elsewhere
- A slight decline in educational quality for a much lower price elsewhere.</p>
<p>Whether or not this is the case depends on whether you’re seeking financial aid, what other schools you’re considering, and what a good education means to you. I see no reason why an out-of-stater should automatically turn down schools like UCLA, Berkeley, Michigan, and UVA in favor of private peer schools.</p>
<p>I’m a fan of the school, but I would find it difficult to justify the OOS cost. As a large public you’re going to be taking large classes (including upper division if you choose a popular major like Econ). The focus in the main tends not to be on undergrads, but on research and grad students. The student who suceeds at a large public is the one who takes ownership of their future – attending office hours to get guidance and develop personal links to get strong letters of rec, joining clubs and groups to get involved and make lasting friends, is comfortable making important decisions such as how to prepare for a career largely on their own with little guidance, etc. At many smaller privates for the same cost you will get an assigned faculty advisor, more personal attention in class and from the counseling/guidance center, better connections with an active alumni net, etc.</p>
<p>In the end, its a personal decision. You can see the results of a survey of Letters & Science graduating seniors a UCLA regarding various aspects of their college experience at [Senior</a> Survey - UCLA College of Letters and Science](<a href=“http://www.college.ucla.edu/seniorsurvey/]Senior”>http://www.college.ucla.edu/seniorsurvey/)</p>
<p>The top publics do offer some unique experiences that could be worth the money.</p>
<p>Berkeley- Liberal nirvana, San Francisco
Michigan-Football
North Carolina- weather, basketball
Virginia- Mountains, tradition, Lawn
UCLA- Los Angeles, weather, beaches
William & Mary- Ivy experience, LAC education, History, prestige</p>
<p>For the right student, any of these features, combined with great academics, is worth the price of Chic, name, private school. To each their own.</p>