Ole Miss or LSU?

College Search & Selection
1

I have been having a serious dilemma recently.

None of my elite college options have worked out, so now the choice is between LSU and Ole Miss.

I have been accepted into the Honors College at both universities, and I believe Ole Miss has the edge when it comes to quality of Honors college program. Also, I would be able to graduate with absolutely no debt, as they have been the only college that is willing to be affordable for an out-of-state student that I have interacted with. Also, my girlfriend of four years is going to be attending Ole Miss in the fall, and I will also know a few other people from my school and job that will be going.

On the other hand, LSU has remained at about $20,000 and they are unwilling to work with me in order to bridge the gap. Ole Miss would cost me about $6,000.

The problem here is that while more pros lie with Ole Miss, I genuinely love LSU and have always wanted to go there. I prefer the campus, the city, the student life, and it just feels slightly more like home than Ole Miss.

I live in St. Louis, so LSU would mean 3-4 additional hours driving time.

Does the love I have for LSU justify leaving college with a considerable amount of debt?

2

If you’re not going to be comfortable some place, it makes no sense to go there and be unhappy for 4-5 years. The cost difference isn’t worth it.

3

Nothing(or very little) justifies leaving college with a considerable amount of debt, if you can’t get sufficient aid where you want to go then go to where you can afford or you might end up paying off college debt for the better half of your early adult life and onwards.