Penn State (Marketing) vs ASU (Supply Chain Management at Barrett’s Honors college)

I’ve gotten into both ASU and Penn State for Marketing, however, I’ve wanted to switch my major to Supply Chain Management. At ASU, I’m pretty much guaranteed to be switched in before my freshman year starts, but at Penn State, I’m unsure of how difficult the process may be. Regardless, I need help deciding between the two colleges.

Here’s pros and cons of each.

ASU PROS

  • Easy major change
  • Supply Chain Management program ranked #2 in country
  • Barretts Honors College
  • Closer to home

ASU CONS

  • Out of State tuition (around 53k, no aid)
  • Unsure if ASU has better opportunities than Penn State
  • Really hot weather

PENNSTATE PROS

  • Lower out of state fee (around 47k no aid. Still expensive but less than ASU)
  • In a industrious area
  • Well known University/ good rep

PENNSTATE CONS

  • Very far (I live on west coast) so I won’t be able to visit as much without spending a lot
  • Unfamiliar weather (Never dealt with snow)
  • Don’t know how hard it will be to switch major
  • 2 + 2 program… Starting at Harrisburg campus ending at University Park

Overall, I’m looking for the college that will provide me with the best opportunities.

2+2 and secondary admission is not worth the hassle. Go with ASU, they are good in SCM.

Going to PSU is like starting at a community college. You won’t have the 4-year experience.

It is true - ASU is the Harvard of Supply Chain. It’s 25 years later but when I got my ASU, they had more companies recruiting than students. Fed Ex offered me a job with simply having a supply chain elective.

I’m surprised if you’re in Barrett there was no merit.

That said, it appears the PSU campuses are about $12K less than University Park but that your figure used seems overstated (for the first two years).

Assuming you can afford it, I’d go ASU. Not sure what you mean by opportunities but both schools will get you jobs. But finding a job is the student’s responsibility, not the schools.

Have you visited both?

Best of luck.

Your tuition will rise substantially when you move from Harrisburg to University Park. OOS tuition/room & board is about $42k in Harrisburg, but over $12,000 more at UP, so for two of the four years, ASU and PSU are the same.

I don’t know what you mean about Penn State being in an “industrious area.” University Park is in State College. The city and county are dominated by the university, and most other large employers in the area (hospital, grocery stores, WalMart, local schools district) serve the needs of the students, faculty and staff of the university. Also, Arizona is growing; Pennsylvania is not. Penn State has excellent recruiting, but people don’t attend because of local opportunities in business.

I would not consider Penn State Harrisburg coming from the west coast. Although it is technically a residential college, there is campus housing for only 690 of the 4,000-5,000 students on that campus. MANY of your classmates will be living at home as 75% of students commute.

Harrisburg is well over 90 minutes from University Park, so outside of some bus trips to football games you won’t experience many of the advantages at the main campus until junior year.

There is no way that I would recommend paying $42K a year for a community college experience. If Penn State is your goal, attend a community college that is local to you for 2 years, then apply to transfer.

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I plan to visit ASU this week.

How do I know whether or not I got aid from Barrett? I’m not sure where to check, so I don’t know if I received merit.

I see, thank you for your insight, it was very helpful.

According to the website, you should log into MyASU and click on the “finances” tab. You will have a letter there that outlines any financial aid and scholarships.

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Barrett has a cost. You may have a scholarship to offset. But you likely got merit from ASU

Barrett is one of the top honors colleges in america

Assuming u can afford it u should go asu. Or apply u of a you still can…if you can afford. Or Alabama culverhouse or others you can still apply to vs two year option at PSU. Or go to a comm college at home instead.

Good luck.

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