<p>So, I've been accepted to both USC for engineering and UW so far. The price difference between both schools for four years is 220k versus 80k. Although my parents/I would probably be able to afford USC's tuition, they raised the idea of taking the difference and investing it conservatively. At 5% yield for 30 years, it comes out to be about 16k$ income/year. So, the question is- Should I go to UW for engineering and invest the difference, or go to USC and hope that my future job prospects in the engineering field will fare better financially than investing the difference in tuition?</p>
<p>Wow. Ask them first if that’s a false dichotomy. That is…would they REALLY invest the difference, and give it to you? If so…then check out the differences in grad salaries, and placement between the two schools. It’d have to be significant to turn down “the money”. One thing to consider is that even with the best of intentions…it’s possible that the parents won’t contribute that amount per year. It’s a tough put. My D is in a position to take a $20k schol per year to a $50k per year school with a 50+ rated biz program. Vs. no schol but admitted to Marshall School of biz at USC (top 10 rated). It’s a squeeze for us…but i’m truly thinking that she’ll come out with better contacts, perhaps better coursework, and certainly more of a prestigious degree…from USC. (at least i pray to God that’s what would happen after spending that kind of dough.)</p>
<p>Wow, this is the exact same boat I’m in. I got accepted to both UW and USC for engineering (though my cost is a little less for USC since I’m guaranteed half tuition as an NMF). I think UW’s engineering is ranked higher, but USC might have better job prospects after graduation. I’m also sort of thinking about Berkeley, but considering the financial state of CA I don’t think it would be a good investment even if it’s #3 for engineering.</p>
<p>Well, UW has one of the highest ranked bioengineering programs (6th, I think). I don’t know if its overall engineering is ranked higher, though, so you might be right on that.</p>
<p>My D is a senior at Viterbi graduating in May 2011. She got the ARCS scholarship junior year offering significant help with tuition. If you are able to maintain a 3.5 GPA as an engineering major (top 10% of your class) there are additional scholarships you can qualify for. USC offers career/internship fairs. You have to be very responsible and attend them starting freshman year. If you take advantage of all USC offers, it works out. If you are more laid back and don’t attend the functions, it is very difficult to find an internship in this economy. As a NMF, you have half your tuition paid for 8 semesters. That is a significant award. Trustees and presidential scholars are treated with special attention at USC. If you want to take extra classes in the semester, you do not have to pay the per credit cost associated with them. The non-presidential/trustee students pay $1000 or more per credit above the semester limit. You might also consider everything that USC offers besides the engineering major. Many students take classes in the film school, music, business, and arts and sciences. Go to an accepted students event. They may have one in your local area and there will be one on campus as well. See if you like the feel of the campus. My D and her older brother both love their time at USC.</p>
<p>Wow, aeroblade. That’s a huge cost difference! There is no way I’d choose USC at 220K over UW at 80K. UW has a really great engineering program! Engineers will always be in demand. If you’re a good student, remain in engineering, and do well in school, you WILL find a job. Somewhere. And your parents are right. If you invest the difference, you will be far better off upon graduation.</p>
<p>USC is a really great school. It remains towards the top of my son’s list. But if he doesn’t get the Trustee scholarship, it will be off his list, simply because of the cost differential. He has two schools he can attend for free and 1 school he can attend for about 4K a year. As great as USC is, it’s just not worth the tradeoff to us. It’s nothing personal about USC; it’s not the only school that will come off his list. Several others that accepted him are already not possibilities anymore, simply because we can’t justify spending that much more money for an undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>But, I realize … different families have different priorities and perspectives about this sort of thing.</p>
<p>That is a LOT of $$$$$ & a tough choice. I don’t know anything about placements at other Us but do know that USC does have a career placement center for their engineering department. They do have engineering career fairs that are well attended by employers and students, as I expect other schools do.</p>
<p>Our S could have attended AzSU or UofAz for free or go to USC for 1/2 tuition. He did choose USC and has no regrets. We did NOT offer to invest the difference to give it to him later and I don’t think he would have been interested if we did. Bottom line, we don’t have any regrets–S did have internships after his sophomore & junior years and was given 3 job offers in his senior year. He will be happily starting his job very soon.</p>
<p>Our D is now also attending USC and we were happy she & S were able to overlap for 3 semesters.</p>
<p>Each family has to make choices & decide what works best for them. UW, UVa, USC are all great options and one can only weigh what is before him/her and choose with the info they have to make the decision that seems to work best w/o regrets. One other thing is any savings COULD be set aside for grad school, helping with a down payment or whatever else.</p>
<p>What great options you have! Both are fine schools. It seems to me that graduating from a fine school with an impressive nest egg would be better than graduating from a fine school without an impressive nest egg.</p>