<p>I was looking around this forum and although I found helpful advice, no one addressed my direct issue.</p>
<p>I am high school senior, my family has middle class income. I live in the Midwest and the biggest state university is one of the best in the country. However, I do not want to attend it because I feel that the the school would be too big and I learn best when I have a chance to ask questions outside of class (so a small private college would work better)</p>
<p>I have applied to several small liberal colleges around the country and have gotten admitted to most. There is a large spectrum of how much each college financial aid each college gave me. </p>
<p>If I attend the state university, I would get a decent education and would graduate with less than $10,000 of debt. That would allow me to go on to graduate school or find a job, apartment, etc. in a large city after college (something I've wanted to do for a long time) with almost no problem.</p>
<p>However, if I attend my private college of choice, I would graduate with anywhere from $40,000-$80,000 of debt. Some of it maybe in federal education loans and such but nonetheless loans. This would force me to delay graduate school and probably force me to move back into my parents house and look for a job around there. But this college might make me a better individual because it offers more choices of electives and even allow for an achievable double major. </p>
<p>So I guess I am asking the ultimate question of whether it is better to stick with something that might be less quality but would allow an easier life after college or a better quality with more loans and less opportunities for fun and travel.</p>
<p>I should also tell you that the my current choices of majors do not make a lot of money out of college.</p>
<p>I am sorry about the length, thank you for any suggestions.</p>
<p>You sound a lot like my D. We too are in the Midwest - Ohio, but close to Michigan. A big school just does not fit her learning style or social style. She is a small group person all the way around. Sure she could/would probably adjust to the big school lifestyle, but the small school is definitely on her list of "what I want, what I need". </p>
<p>She too is looking at a career (at this point anyway) that may not start out making big $$$. However that could change. We have made the decision NOT to go the bigger college route (mid-american). We have made more of an attempt to find a smaller LAC that works for her requirements - even smaller colleges vary in $$$. Right now we're narrowed down to 2 - one is $10,000 less than the other (total cost to attend), but the one that is more $$ also may offer more $ in aid - </p>
<p>We have not decided for sure, but if her #1 choice (the more expensive one) can come within a few thousand of the #2 choice we will probably choose the #1 - it seems like a stronger school with more opportunities, thereby hopefully more opportunities when she graduates to find a decent job. </p>
<p>College helps shape you for many years after. While I'd hate to have a ton of loans (hopefully $20 thou or under) - well, it's all tough to weigh isn't it?</p>
<p>I've often read that your loans shouldn't exceed one year's salary when you graduate . But ultimately, it's a personal choice.</p>
<p>If you do decide to attend Big U, there are ways to make a large university smaller. I went to a large school as a non-scholarship swimmer and found myself within a small subset of student athletes that made the early going quite manageable. In my soph. yr. I changed majors to a smaller dept. and at graduation was one of only about 8 students receiving my particular degree. Your particular pursuits may not lend them self to this an option though. There are some things I was not able to make smaller such as the Chemistry/Biology lectures with 350 others. Access to instructors outside of class varied and it was uncommon to know anyone in my classes in the first year and a half. After taking the general, required courses, the remaining classes provided a better environment among people I came to know rather well.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I appricate the advice, this is a tough decision, I wish to you all!</p>
<p>liberal arts colleges tend to give a lot of aid, which is beneficial even though it's private.</p>