So, I was accepted to UF for 2020, but I received no financial aid except loans. My parents have agreed to pay about $28,000 in tuition and fees, leaving me with around $10k to take out loans. This, over all 4 years, will accumulate to $40k in student debt for undergraduate. My question is: does UF’s academics, prestige, and alumni network justify going $40k in debt? I will be majoring in biochemistry, on a pre-med track, meaning I will attend medical school and likely accumulate even more debt. I was accepted into VCU, JMU, and VT in-state, which my parents have agreed to pay for, and also NYU, Fordham, and UCF oos, with UCF being the only oos school I could attend without creating debt, however my parents do not want me to go to UCF because they believe it is a party school I’m extremely conflicted because I love UF and it is really the best school I got into that I could actually see myself going to, except NYU but I ain’t paying $250k, but I do not know if the debt is worth it! Please help me anyone!!! Thank You
No.
The idea that UF has better academics, prestige, and alumni network than VTech is wacky.
Better alumni network in FL, probably, but VTech would have a better one in VA and greater DC.
Not to mention that your chosen career track is one where prestige and alumni network doesn’t actually matter.
VTech is easily as good as UF for your chosen major (and career).
Don’t look back - join the VTech FB page, get some merch, congratulations!