Prestigious LAC vs Prestigious In-State for Econ/Gov

[circuitrider]

@PurpleTitan wrote:

Depends on alternatives and resources. To me, UT-Austin tuition-free when the family doesn’t really have the resources for something a lot more (like the LAC) seems sweeter.

Ah, but UT-Austin undergrad isn’t free. The UT MBA may be tuition-free. But, by my estimation, the OP is going to still be on the hook for $20,000 in loans after he graduates UT-Austin undergrad. Yes, there is a big difference between that and $80k in debt. OP is wrestling with how to pay back that extra $60k which NESCAC college X seems to think the parents can afford.

“And, Parent-plus loans are not that unusual for even the most well-heeled families.”

Doesn’t make the decision to take them any smarter. Plenty of people may have overleveraged to buy a house they really couldn’t afford before the '08-'09 crisis. Didn’t mean that was actually a smart decision.

Agreed. But, you can’t repossess a diploma. All of which makes me question what the parents must be thinking. The OP seems to have an unusual amount of sway with them.

The OP wrote:

Please don’t hesitate to tear holes in these (as that’s what I’m here for).

Well, the biggest hole is this one:

option 1 thrives and offers many attractive grants, fellowships, and real-world study programs that are lacking from option 2.

People claw their way into fellowships and internships for one purpose, to hopefully land a job after making connections at the institute or company in question. All of that leverage goes out the window if you have to save money by staying at home in Texas for four years.

I’m not denying that NESCAC college X probably has a fantastic career development program, and could be of great help post-grad, but, TBH, the longer you are in the workforce, the less future employers will care where you graduated from.