<p>OK. So the results are in and these are the options for my son for Fall 2013 admission:
Option 1. Indiana. Kelley School of Business. Direct Admit. Total cost (out of state tuition, room and board, fees, etc. less scholarships) = $36,186.
Option 2. Purdue. Krannert School of Management. Total cost (out of state tuition, room and board, fees, etc. less scholarships) = $17,130.</p>
<p>Is there really that much of a difference between these 2 schools? Both Big 10, not Ivy League, both Midwestern schools. Which would you attend? Is Kelley really worth that much more?</p>
<p>I think there is a difference in the business schools but am not sure if it is enough to double the cost. You may want to understand who recruits on each campus. That makes all the difference in finding a post grad position and internships.</p>
<p>In reply to the question below, his major will be business with a finance concentration regardless of the school he chooses. By the way, I have one child who is currently a junior at University of Illinois and another one coming up behind the Purdue vs. Indiana child who is still in high school so college costs for our family are going to astronomical over the next 4-6 years.
As a parent with 2 advanced degrees I am very skeptical of the entire college process especially the high costs with no guarantees of a pay out. But, these colleges have great dog and pony shows to convince prospects that their school is the best. Indiana actually had a PowerPoint presentation that showed incoming students in hoodies and ripped jeans transforming into well-dressed future employees in suits and ties ready to consider multiple job offers. One of the speakers said to the parents, “We will work to get them off your payroll and onto someone else’s.” We are visiting Purdue in a couple of weeks before the deadline.</p>