Penn State vs. Texas A&M

I am trying to figure out where I’m going to go to college, and need a bit of advice. I recently got into Penn State nursing and it’s my top choice school, but I live in Texas so I would have to pay out of state tuition. Texas A&M is in state, and it’s a decent school, but for sure my 2nd choice compared to PSU. I have enough college savings to pay for 4 years of college in state, but I would have to take out loans to pay for Penn State. One major factor for me is that I really want to go into nursing, and I’m already in for PSU, but would have to apply sophomore year for A&M and there’s no guarantee I’d get in. Overall, I like the location, campus, and nursing school of Penn State more than A&M. Do y’all think it would be worth it to go to PSU, or would it be better to stay in state?

Can you/your family afford Penn State? If so, it’s not an issue. I understand your dilemma, though. You’re in for nursing at PSU, but at A&M you’d have to kick butt your first two years and then gain admission to the nursing program (no sure thing, as nursing has become quite competitive).

Don’t get me wrong. There are stronger nursing programs than others. On the other hand, nursing is a common major (you could study nursing at Texas State, Texas Lutheran, and dozens of other places). Half of RNs have a bachelor’s degree, which means that half do not. My point is that if nursing is what’s most important, then you need to go somewhere to make that happen. Nursing is like education: available everywhere, and while it would be great to go to U of Pennsylvania (the ivy) for its top-notch nursing program, most choose a school where they’ll graduate, pass the NCLEX, and start working.

Look into A&M’s acceptance rates for nursing. How confident are you that you’ll be able to get into the nursing program? Can you afford PSU? Are there no other options for you to study nursing?

Here is some info on TAMU’s nursing acceptance. It looks like you really need to keep above a 3.5 in the prereq classes. That can be way more difficult than the average HS student expects. I would actually look for some other in state nursing options.

@Hapworth My family is willing to make it work since they know that I really want to go to Penn State, but it would be a lottt harder financially. If I went to A&M, I would have more than enough savings to pay for 4 years without any loans. The nursing program at A&M is also really competitive, and I’m not very confident I’d get in. It’s a tricky situation because nursing is my priority but I’m really worried about the debt going to PSU would cost me. I have a few other out of state options with reasonable tuition, but they’re not as academically competitive (I’ll hopefully apply to grad school so that’s important) or in locations that I like a lot. I still have to hear back from a few schools that are more competitive, but Penn States my 1st choice for sure.

@Eeyore123 Yeah I’ve looked at the stats before for accepted students and it does worry me a quite a bit. I can’t imagine myself doing any other major than nursing, and Penn State has the best 4 year nursing program that I’ve gotten accepted to. The main descision I have to make is if having major student debt is worth having a guaranteed spot in nursing school. If I go to A&M, I would not have to take out any loans, but it would be really hard to get into nursing school.

Penn State isn’t worth crushing debt. But A&M is a risk. Did you apply to any in-state direct entry nursing programs?

How much do you have in savings?
How much can your parents contribute each month from their current income (without loans)?
Do you have a job and if so can you have more hours?
Have you applied to any instate direct entry nursing programs?
(I agree the grades required by A&M make it too risky. These grades mean top 2-3% at the college level).

OP: How much debt would you incur each year at Penn State ?