Michigan LSA vs Purdue Krannert vs Texas A&M Mays

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

I am a long timer CC lurker but now I am in need of some advice. Son is interested in Accounting and/or Math (but that is not 100%) admitted to the following schools:

Michigan LSA (OOS - full pay) not a pre-admit to Ross
Purdue Krannert (OOS - 10k/yr scholarship)
Texas A&M Mays (instate - received scholarship that covers tuition so out of pocket cost would be room and board only)

I am a fan of Michigan - love the school and all the opportunities available. Finances would not be a burden but I am cost-conscious. So is Michigan worth the price over the instate option? We have narrowed the choices down to Michigan and Texas A&M but should we consider Purdue?

If my son wishes to pursue grad school then does it make more sense to go to Mays? Also if he does decide on continuing onto grad school is it preferable to work in industry for a year or two before pursuing a MBA?

thanks

2

There is no reason to attend Purdue instead of A&M in your case. If you can afford to send your son to Michigan AND you are glad to do so, then that is what you should do. If however you feel that, “Finances would not be a burden but I am cost-conscious” send him to TAM. There is no sense in spending over $160,000.00 more for an undergraduate education if you are not 100% on board. If it were me, and my child were interested in accounting or math and possibly graduate school, I would save my money for that and send him to his instate option. Texas A&M is a very good school!

3

Thanks @rjkofnovi - for your input.

4

If cost of attendance truly isn’t a burden, and assuming your son is serious about his education, I think Michigan is worth the money, especially if Michigan is a better fit socially (Michigan is liberal while TAMU is conservative). When I say “truly isn’t a burden”, I mean being able to pay for the cost of attendance without breaking a sweat. If there is any hardship, then I say go for TAMU.

5

@Alexandre - I know Michigan’s academics are challenging and not knowing how my son will fare do you think a student with say a 3.0 GPA from Michigan would have better opportunities than say a 3.5+ GPA from TAMU?

6

^I would say not. 3.5 TAMU >>> 3.0 UMich in my opinion.

7

I agree with yikesyikesyikes. Michigan may be more challenging than TAMU in non-Engineering disciplines, but not enough to justify a 0.5 GPA difference. I am thinking more from a total experience and social reputation point of view. For wealthy families that can easily afford Michigan’s hefty tuition, it is worth it.