Is UCSD worth the extra $24,000 of debt?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
1

So UCSB is giving me $27,000 in gift aid and UCSD is giving me $21,000 in gift aid. UCSD is claiming the COA is $30,000 but I don’t believe that at all. And before you say I can cut costs at UCSD, I can do the same at UCSB.

I really want to go to UCSD, but god damn, is the debt worth it? I can do the major I want to go in, the city and beach is right there, the campus is way better than SB, the dorms are cool as hell, and I can go to AFROTC.

I like UCSB as well, but I can’t go in the major I want (well I’m doing pre-med, but I’m probably gonna have to major in science here) and there is no AFROTC.

What are your thoughts?

2

If you like UCSD that much more, I’d say $6,000/year is a worthwhile investment, especially if it lets you study your preferred major and participate in ROTC. If you didn’t like it that much more I’d tell you you were making a mistake. $24,000 is probably worth spending to get the undergrad experience you’re looking for.