I narrowed my college choices to 2 colleges which are Northeastern University and Umass Amherst. After receiving a $12K annual scholarship, my total cost for Northeastern University is $63K. I am taking a combined major in Business Administration & Political Science.
After receiving a $3,500 scholarship, my total cost for Umass Amherst is $27K. I have been accepted into the Honors College and I am majoring in Business Administration. Both of the campuses are great. And because they are so different I like both of them for what they are. In the future, I want to be a corporate lawyer, so I am not entirely sure if I should be spending $63K a year for my undergraduate degree.
My question is:
Is Northeastern worth the money?
Would it be a better choice to go to Umass Amherst than Northeastern?
Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thank you!!!
Even at cost parity, there would not be a clear case for NU over UMass. Both the business school and the honors college at UMass are excellent. The business major at Northeastern is fine, but not anything reputationally amazing - its main strength is the co-op opportunities. A particular student might prefer NU’s vibe, urban experience, and co-op program, and they wouldn’t be wrong to value those things… but there are just as many reasons one might prefer UMass.
For you, the two options aren’t anywhere near cost parity. It’s hard for me to see how you would squeeze 2.3x as much value out of NU vs. UMass. If your goal is law school and a career in corporate law, then TBH undergrad co-op opportunities are even less important than otherwise. (Also, NU doesn’t corner the market on such opportunities - it’s not as if UMass students don’t get internships and co-ops.)
Bottom line is that what’s on offer academically at UMass is just as good or better for your particular track; and you can still pursue co-ops at UMass if you want them. If you think of this as your first business case study, I don’t really see how you’d spin NU as a good business decision in your particular context.
I actually really like Northeastern - one of my kids almost went there - but for your major and career goals, and at these relative prices, I just don’t see it. JMHO. The money saved at UMass will cover nearly half the cost of law school, and you’ll be giving up nothing in terms of the quality of preparation.