<p>What is the current wisdom between these schools--taking into consideration PSU would cost 12K per year and UVA would cost 52K /year? Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>PSU. Save the potential $80k.</p>
<p>Actually 160K</p>
<p>That is my “GUT” reaction—but I suppose I have some reservations or perhaps misguided perceptions that UVA would be worth the cost differential.</p>
<p>If 40K per year matters to your family, then there are no benefits at UVA that are worth $160K. UVA is a great school, and PSU has some real strengths, but neither is worth an extra 160K to 99% of families. It’s only undergrad. What you do there will be much more important than where you do it.</p>
<p>Right… $160k. Hah! Even more reason to select Penn State. </p>
<p>What is your intended major? </p>
<p>Does your family have this money in a college fund? Then it’s a family decision.
If not, and you were thinking of loans, don’t do this to yourself - first, you won’t find cosigners for such a crazy amount and Parent PLUS loansin that amount would terribly hurt your family’s financial stability. And odds are, your parents won’t be approved for the entire amount, so that you could be left hanging after your 2nd or 3rd year and prevented from graduating from UVA and forced to transfer elsewhere (that happens all the time alas).
So, if you don’t have 160k in a college fund, go to PSU. Try to get into Shreyer after your first semester if you want a more selective experience similar to UVA’s (you’ll need great grades and you’ll need to make an effort to really get to know your professors so that they can recommend you.)</p>
<p>Thanks MYOS</p>