I am curious if the extra cost for a large, prestigious university is worth the extra costs, as compared to a smaller but cheaper college.
My specific situation is that I have been admitted to the University of Wisconsin - Madison, which I know is a world- renowned university. I have fallen in love with this university, not only because I know I would receive great academics (including I could likely make it into the honors program), but also because I know I would love the experience as well. There are other factors, but I know this is the school I want to go to. However, the only downside is the cost. I haven’t gotten any scholarships, so as of now it looks like I would have to pay full price, which is about $25000 a year, all expenses. This concerns me, because I would likely graduate with around $40000 in student debt.
After I told my college advisor about my concerns, he suggested I look into smaller in-state schools which I could get into at a cheaper cost, especially because of my high test scores. I’m guessing that if I chose this route I could save at least $10000 per year, if not more. However, my academic and overall college experience probably wouldn’t be as great, I would lack research opportunities that Madison may provide, and I wouldn’t have all the opportunities available at Madison.
I would love to attend Madison more than any other school, however I would like to make sure I don’t put myself into a financially rough situation post-graduation before I submit the accept button. If it helps, I plan on majoring in physics.
Which option would be the best choice? If anybody has stories about handling a large amount of debt after graduation, and how it has impacted their lives, that would help me make a decision as well.
Does that mean your family can afford to pay $15K/year? You’re limited as a student to $27K in direct loans. You could make up the difference with summer jobs.
My family cannot afford to pay $15000 per year, much less $25000, however I know that my debt after graduation at a cheaper school would be substantially less. I have taken my EFC and potential part-time and summer jobs taken into consideration. I am simply worried about my indebtedness after graduation.
In order to take on that level of debt on your own, your UW-Madison would need to award you Perkins Loans as well as Federal Loans. Did they do that? If they didn’t, then someone else will have to borrow the money for you or will have to co-sign loans with you.
There are advantages to being the top student in your department at the second or third best public U in your state. You will get a lot more attention from the professors.
@Iggyfan56 Did you submit a FAFSA? Many schools are still willing to give out need-based financial aid. If your family earns under 350k per year I would definitely recommend filling it out SOON since you still have a shot at getting some grants.
I filled out the FAFSA and turned it into Madison, however I did not receive any grants. I got $5500 in combined subsidized and unsubsidized loans only, which I hear is the max you can get as a freshman. Other than that, I received no aid.
I attended the business school at the UW quite a few years ago. I worked around 15 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours a week during breaks to help pay for my schooling to reduce the debt load. Depending on summer internships, the amount of compensation can be substantial (especially in software development or engineering where many physics majors land). I also lived frugally after moving out of the dorms after my freshman year, substantially reducing my expenses. I wouldn’t change my college experience at the UW for anything.
@lfrancis95 Thank you for sharing. If you don’t mind me asking, how manageable was your debt after graduation? I feel like if I worked hard and lived frugally, like you did, I would be able to cover a lot of the costs and make the most out of my education at UWMadison. Also, would you mind commenting on how you balanced your schoolwork with your job?
@austinmshauri I would pay for the rest through my parents money, applying for scholarships, working during the school year and summer, and taking out loans from other sources.
I graduated without any debt, but I had to plan finances very carefully. The key to balancing work and school was tight time management; early morning classes, work in the afternoon, studying in the evening, partying on Friday and Saturday night only. I worked for five years and then went to Stanford for my MBA. I don’t think I would have been admitted to Stanford without an undergrad degree from a well respected institution. My suggestion on money; ask your parents to pay the tuition and you come up with living expenses. Take out the subsidized portion of the loan for sure and probably the unsubsidized portion since it’s cheap money that doesn’t need to be repaid until you are employed. Raise money from family and friends through a graduation party, birthday gifts, etc. Earn the rest through work. The UW is one of the best degrees in the world for the money. It should be doable.
Madison gives very little merit. What are the other schools you are considering? Many kids around here go to Platteville for engineering, Whitewater for business, Eau Claire for nursing etc etc. Minnesota has more merit available by the way, but if you are a current senior, too late for that.
@Booajo I did apply to Minnesota, and would receive cheap tuition since I’m a Wisconsin resident. However, I received no merit aid, which I found surprising because I felt my credentials were high enough: 34 ACT, 3.9 unweighted GPA, 4.1 weighted, many extracurriculars and leadership activities.
Wow @Iggyfan56 that surprises and disappoints me. Maybe Wisconsin residents are not eligible for their OOS grants? My own kid refused to consider any schools in Wi or Mn, so no direct personal experience.
@Booajo That could be the case. But given the circumstances Madison would overall be the cheaper choice. I did also apply to several other institutions: The University of Chicago, University of Michigan, Northwestern, and Cornell. I was either denied or waitlisted at all of them. From what I hear from my friends and from my own personal experience, it seems to have been a difficult year for admissions.
I’m having trouble reconciling these. How are you going to pay for it via your parents’ money? You can only take out $5500 your first year on your own. Earn ~$3500 over the summer and that still leaves $16k for your first year alone. You cannot take out larger loans without your parents co-signing. Have you asked your parents what the exact amount is that they would be willing to contribute? Are they paying for anything now (club fees, activity expenses, etc.) that they would be willing to pay the same amount toward your college next year? You have a huge gap to make up, and it is pretty inadvisable (and in some cases impossible) to take out loans to cover it.
@lfrancis95 Thank you so much for the advice. I have also considered pursuing graduate studies after my undergraduate so hearing your experience at Madison and how you handled it is very helpful.
@whitespace I’m not planning on paying entirely with my parent’s money, I know they can contribute but not pay for the entire $15-25k. Sorry if that was confusing. Any other loans that are needed my parents will co-sign with me. I will admit that I am still getting to know the financial aid process, so that’s why I may not have everything entirely figured out yet. But this discussion is helping me understand things more. Thank you for the advice!
What are you wanting to study? Is it something that has a great starting salary (engineering?) or not so great (social work)? That really affects whether you want to take on more debt.
Edit: Saw you are considering grad school. If so, you really really want to minimize your undergrad debt.
@whitespace I want to study Physics, or some field in science and mathematics, which is a decent field financially from my research. I probably wouldn’t make as much as an engineering major but I think any student loans would still be manageable with that degree. Is it right of me to think that?