<p>My son is trying to decide between Lehigh and Delaware. At Lehigh, he has been offered almost no financial aid (total cost $50,000). He was admitted into the Honors program at U. of Delaware with a $7000 annual scholarship (leaving total cost at around $22,000). Do we go for value (Delaware) or reputation (Lehigh)? Love Lehigh but cost is a bit of a hardship for our family. We appreciate any thoughts or sharing of experiences!</p>
<p>My daughter will be attending Lehigh, and we are thrilled for her, but she received some wonderful aid. Delaware has a great reputation and at half the cost, it’s a bargain. His college education should not be a hardship. Think about how much debt you are willing to take on and how much he is willing to take on for that education. If he chooses UDEL he’s going to a very good school…if he does well there he will have a good foundation for success.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>My D is facing same decision but with somewhat different numbers. We are in-state at Delaware and she was offered $10k in scholarship money and Honors program. She was offered $10K at Lehigh as well. So our decision is between UD at about $7K/year vs. Lehigh at $40K/year. Bucknell offered no scholarship money, so it would be $50K/year. She also has a big scholarship at U of Arizona, which would bring its cost down to the $6-7K range. Still waiting to hear from one more, but it doesn’t really have the right program for her and would be about $39-40K/year (but it is otherwise a great school and she loves it - her brother is there and her mother and I went there). </p>
<p>The real problem is that Delaware is a small state, we live only 10 minutes from campus, and UD is “too close” and “too familiar.” She does seem to be warming to the idea, though. Saving $180,000 over four years does have a certain attraction.</p>
<p>The next few weeks are going to be tense.</p>
<p>@K9Leader:So, where did your D decided. My D is facing the same dilemna.</p>
<p>Delaware would be my choice given the circumstances. It’s not worth going into debt when you have a good package from your in-state school.</p>
<p>My daughter is finishing her second year at Bucknell, majoring in Civil Engineering. Shortly after that last post Bucknell came through with some scholarship money, enough to bring it to within the range we felt we could do. Bucknell was her first choice and was the best fit for her. I understand the desire to go away - when I was 18 and my parents brought up the state university 1/2 an hour away, my response was “No how, no way.” </p>
<p>Bucknell has been a good choice for her and the engineering program has been all that it was purported. She will graduate with about $24K in loans, as did her brother who graduated from William & Mary last year. He is working and is off the payroll. So, two more years of tuition and then we can worry about the things the house needs (roof, windows, siding, driveway, furnace, a/c, septic, etc.). </p>
<p>Thanks for asking and good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks. My D has finally decided. It’s basically $40K/4 Yr vs $40K/Yr. Probably save the money for graduate school.</p>