<p>I'm curious as to how parents feel about paying 50k+ per year to go to an elite (USNWR top 15) college.</p>
<p>Some background info: I'm currently debating between a top public university with solid international reputation (tuition under 10k per year) and an elite university (as described above, top 15 in USNWR) which would cost 50k+ per year. So far I have good impressions of both schools despite them having different dynamics, like the elite one having smaller classes and more undergrad-oriented. And I'm struggling to justify the extra cost of going to the elite school.</p>
<p>Someone outside of CC pointed out to me that the networking opportunities with fellow students and the alumni network at the elite school would be much better. At the elite school, I have a better chance of meeting brilliant classmates and will be "looked after" by alumni that are already in high-level positions in companies that could get me a job. I understand his reasoning, and I wonder if parents feel this connection-building advantage is worth the extra cost? And is there's something else aside from networking that justifies the extra money?</p>
<p>What are you hoping to do with your college degree? I have come across a surprisingly large number of companies in the finance and technology sector who are hiring exclusively from elite universities. On the other hand, if you want to be an elementary school teacher, there’s absolutely no way to justify the expensive degree.</p>
<p>This is a subject for discussion with your parents. They may say that their finances will allow you to go to either school without anyone having to go into debt and without creating any financial hardships for the family – in which case you are free to make your choice on other grounds. Those grounds could include recruitment and networking opportunities, which could be important to you provided that your plans involve going into the workplace right after receiving your undergraduate degree. If you’re planning on graduate or professional school, the networking opportunities provided by your undergraduate college may not be so relevant.</p>
<p>On the other hand, your parents may say that the only way you can go to the expensive school is if you or they take on a substantial amount of debt. This would argue against going to the private school, especially if you plan on graduate or professional school, where you would need to incur even more debt, or if you’re planning a career in a field that does not pay enormously well, such as teaching.</p>
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<p>Because the main focus of this board is American colleges and universities, I think you can assume that currencies are American dollars unless someone specifies otherwise.</p>
<p>Each person is different. Each school is different. What are your interests? What are your professional ambitions? Do you have the $50K x 4 or are you going to take on debt if you choose the private elite?</p>
<p>There is simply NO WAY that ANY “elite” university is worth $100k more than a flagship public university. There is NO evidence that educational opportunities are better; there are bright, motivated students at all schools (just as there are slackers and party animals at all schools); and flagships have extensive alumni networks of their own.</p>
<p>These days, few people ONLY get a BA. It may be that the connections you’ll end up relying on later might be from your grad program and not your undergrad. Also, it’s important to realize that connections MIGHT help you get an interview or an internship, but ultimately the most qualified person usually gets the job. Connected alumni can alert you to opportunities, but they can’t GET YOU a job. </p>
<p>In addition, I think there’s an effect going on whereby the son of a CEO goes to, say, Williams College, and then he (surprise, surprise) gets a really great job upon graduation, and everyone says “Boy, oh boy, those Williams College connections really paid off” when actually it’s more likely that the kid’s professional mom or dad helped him get the job. I had a friend who was really surprised that his friends at Middlebury all had wealthy, connected parents who were not all that interested in finding jobs for their son’s friends. Finding a job for their child? Sure. Sharing the wealth? Not necessarily.</p>
<p>I have two kids, D at a well-regarded state flagship and S at an elite (and expensive) smallish college. Both are happy, but I have definitely noticed a difference in the amount of contact S has with his profs. They are quite accessible, making themselves available for lunch as well. The students there can really get to know them. S’s peers (other students) are all extremely bright and inquisitive. He enjoys the intellectual mindset and wouldn’t be happy at any other type of school. </p>
<p>I have also noticed the difference in quality and quantity of recruiters for jobs, internships and research opportunities at S’s school. The career office is constantly advertising events for ALL students, not just seniors. If someone wanted a summer internship or a research spot, I think with a little bit of effort it is their’s.</p>
<p>OTOH, D has had a very different experience. The kids are not all “brilliant.” She is happy, but has to scour the school’s website to see what the opportunities are. While she has had a prof invite some students over for a Christmas get-together, I think that is not the norm. There is no hand holding at her college. That said, I believe she is getting a fine education and will be prepared for grad school or employment.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how to monetarily quantify the benefit of my S’s experiences, but I think it is worth it for him.</p>
<p>If money is no concern then you need to look beyond the cost and use the criteria you would for any two colleges. Size of classes is one part along with TA vs professors teaching, red tape, flexibility of programs, etc. If money is a consideration, that needs to be part of the equation as well. As far as contacts are concerned, that to me is of less importance, contacts are everywhere. Be sure to attend the Admitted Students days at both colleges to get a better feel for yourself. </p>
<p>I strongly disagree with annasdad (with whom I often agree) because a large, less personal flagship state school would be disastrous for my younger daughter. Perhaps a smaller, more remote state school would work but that would be a bit “iffy” as well. Again, it all depends on the child.</p>
<p>Any student capable of being admitted to an “elite” university or flagship, with access to a library and internet is capable of educating themselves. Why pay anything at all for a piece of paper? Or why not buy it as cheaply as possible on-line?</p>
<p>Is it necessary to pay for a network to get one? Surely bright young people can find networks on their own?
Are some alumni networks worth more to some people - even if not to you personally? Maybe it matters where you intend to live or what you intend to do how much a certain network is worth?</p>
<p>What about labs?
Does someone need a lab to be educated in certain areas? Are some lab facilities worth more to some families? Why don’t those kids just do their experiments in the garage? Isn’t that what all those millionaire computer guys did?</p>
<p>What about access to academic superstars?
Can we put a price tag on that? For those who may find it of value? Or is it valueless if they publish and their thoughts are easily available for free at a library? Or, even better, a free internet course?</p>
<p>Are you really sure the flagship public is worth it? seems unlikely</p>
<p>BTW what on earth difference does it make if you see Shakespeare performed at the Globe, by one of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s traveling groups, or at the local high school? It is the exact same play right? Waste of money to spend more than necessary.</p>
<p>…
OTOH - SOME flagships will be better for SOME students than SOME elites - how is that for a sweeping generalization?? :)</p>
<p>And some students would be much better off taking their college money and doing something else with it, not necessarily so mainstream.</p>
<p>In a good state flagship, labs will be well equipped. Students in their honors program may be better positioned to take advantage of what they can offer as an undergrad than at an elite research university. Interaction with peers and general culture/experience will be different.</p>
<p>One of my kids attended an elite university; the other attended a state flagship. Both had good experiences, but the quality of the students and rigor of the classes at the elite university were far above those of the state school. </p>
<p>For my son, the state school was a good choice. He was at the right level, academically, to benefit from it. But my daughter was several notches above that level, and I think the private university she attended was a better choice for her. Some of her friends, with qualifications similar to hers, went to the state university. Although they appreciated the financial savings (which enabled them to have money left over for graduate or professional school), they were disappointed with the caliber of both their courses and their classmates. </p>
<p>In the few states where the flagships are comparable in academic prestige to the just-below-the-very-top private universities (Virginia, North Carolina, California [Berkeley and UCLA and maybe UCSD], maybe Michigan), the kind of difference I’m talking about may not apply. But most people don’t live in those states. </p>
<p>We live in Maryland. Our flagship is quite a good one. But it’s not comparable to a top-20 university.</p>
<p>I don’t think you can make this decision based on a monetary comparison. It is very difficult to justify paying $250K for any college degree. However, if you look at it from a “bucket list” perspective, the decision may become clearer.</p>
<p>You only have one opportunity in your entire life to go to undergraduate college (in the traditional sense). If you are fortunate enough to be admitted to one of the best universities in the world, how much does it matter to you to be able to experience that?</p>
<p>Some people don’t really care about the “experience” of college, they only want the degree. What are your feelings about that?</p>
<p>By analogy, if the world was such that you were only given one chance to see Europe (for $250K), or never ever see it, would you go? Would you care? Or would your life be complete without it so long as you could see NYC?</p>
<p>My kids were each offered fullride - 100% tuition, room/board - for 4 years at state flagship. Both chose full pay elite university instead understanding that if they went to the state school the full college fund saved for them would be their money at graduation. In other words they were spending their own money not “other people’s money”. Both feel they made the best decision and their money is well spent. As someone who struggled to pay for my own schooling I was initially dubious of differences the privates would offer over state U but now even I agree it was the better decision as no debt was incurred by either.</p>
<p>That you are asking this question indicates (to me at least) that attending the “elite” would cause you and your family financial hardship. If you had the kind of money that would make attending that school easy for you, you would not ask about it here.</p>
<p>Go to the cheap school that you can afford, and don’t look back.</p>
<p>I have every confidence that you will be fully successful there and in your post college life.</p>