northwestern or UT?

I have now gotten all my decisions back, and I am stuck between Northwestern and the University of Texas at Austin. I do not know which one to pick. Northwestern is ranked #9 in the nation, and it is truly an honor to have been accepted. However, I did not receive any financial aid so northwestern would run me roughly 80k/yr. UT I have been accepted into the liberal arts college with honors and received in-state tuition at 30k/yr. My family does have the money for me to attend NU, but I do feel guilty since it is so much money. Basically, it comes down to investment. Is NU going to give me such a good job opportunity that it is worth the extra 200k for my undergrad degree?

No. UT is a great school. NU is not worth 200K more.

Since you have not mentioned any particular major or career goal, the Univ. of Texas at Austin is the wiser choice financially.

I’m in for both for sociology, I’m thinking about being a lawyer however I am not definite. NU would be much more flexible with changing majors versus UT

I am in for Sociology at both. I am thinking of becoming a lawyer but that is not definite. NU would be much more flexible if I wanted to change majors and pursue a different career path

The cost difference is too much.

Curious as to:

Did you apply for financial aid at NU ?

To which school were you admitted at Northwestern ?

I did not, me and my parents did the math we would not have gotten anything.
I was admitted to the Weinberg college of arts and sciences
thank you so much or your input, I greatly appreciate hearing this from someone outside of my normal circle lol

Save the $200,000 and attend the graduate school of your choice–which might be Northwestern.

Hey recent NU Alum here - w/ no financial aid I’d do UT. I have a peer who I work with every month from UT. Same job. Same goals. Different price tag.

Relative to investment as your goal: McComb will set you up to get a high paying job with lower upfront investment (i.e. Mid-tier consulting should be reasonable)

If useful, finances were a big decision for me as well. Happy to share more if useful.

@hopefulsenior2020 , I love Northwestern. Beautiful campus, right on the lake. Great school.

However, it isn’t worth $320,000. No undergraduate school is.

UT is terrific, very selective out of state, so as in stater you probably don’t realize this.

Save the $200,000, and your law school is taken care of, at Northwestern or elsewhere.

NU is a great school, but I would advise against paying sticker when you have an excellent option like UT-Austin. If you want to stay in Texas, UT will have the edge career wise due to the alumni network.