We are deciding between two schools, both of which are R1 institutions where my only child would study biology. One is a large public (24,000 undergrads) and the other is a small private (3,600). We’ve been very fortunate to be offered enough financial support that the difference in our family’s cost before loans is small—only $11K/year vs. $17K/year.
I’m encouraging my child to consider all other factors and NOT to choose on account of money. The kid, however, just told me that $6,000 is a lot of money! (I know, the role reversal makes one’s head spin)
I’m inclined toward the smaller school. It’s also the more expensive school. The child (whose gender is non-binary so I’m trying to avoid pronouns) is extremely anxious about college and about ALL decision making, so I think having a quantifiable factor is very appealing.
Am I downplaying the cost difference bc I have a preference for the smaller-more-expensive school, or is $24K for 4 undergraduate years truly small potatoes in the bigger scheme of things? Academic and research opportunities would be amazing at both schools.
For some, 6K per year is a lot. For others, it is not. It sounds like the cost difference is not a big deal for your family. If that’s the case, then your child should attend whichever school is best for them, and it’s your role as a parent to make that clear to them. I too am of the belief that a smaller school can often be a better choice in terms of classroom experience and accessibility to professors, but I’ve either attended or taught at both, and both have their charms.
I think I worded the question badly. Of course no one can tell another what’s a “lot of money.” But most CC threads have a strong and well-informed bias toward avoiding debt. We don’t have a lot of money (obviously, given the financial aid offers), but we can swing most of either tuition. Our 529 savings would cover the big school, and there wouldn’t be a lot of debt (well within the federal limits for undergraduate students) for the smaller school. I’m concerned that my child is over-relying on the single tangible factor in college choice, and might not be giving more intangible aspects of fit enough consideration. Thoughts?
Well, $24K (6k x 4) is a lot of money. If the loans will be theirs, they should be able to consider money in their decision making too.
Without knowing which two schools it’s hard to point out why one or the other might be better. But you and they can talk it out together, all the points.
$24K in debt after four years would be worth it, if the more expensive college were absolutely the child’s dream school and she was prepared to shoulder the responsibility of paying it back. This doesn’t sound like that case.
College applicants usuallty have fairly well informed ideas about the weather & major they prefer. They usually have somewhat of an idea about whether they will thrive better in a city or in a rural or suburban setting. But the size of the college that will be best for them would seem to more of a wild guess. Most students have only their high school upon which to base their preference on, so it’s hard to imagine how they would really know whether small, medium, or large would be the best size for their college.
We have also had to reassure our son that we can afford his options.
If you have particular reasons that you think the smaller school is a better fit, you can also share those reasons with your child. You can be an adviser without making the final decision. This may not be a factor in your school preference, but some college communities are likely much more accepting of non binary classmates and students than others.
Good luck to your child. I’m getting impatient with the decision making timeline at my house. The last admitted student day was today so I’m hoping my son will have a decision shortly.
$24k extra will mean more to the student if it is in the form of student loan debt, particularly for a student studying a major with relatively low paid major-specific job and career prospects (e.g. biology), than if it is pocket change for parents with lots of money who will cover that amount with no increased student loan debt for the student.
First, congratulations that yours has a good choice and is financially responsible. That is so important to their future success in life. I agree with the points above that it (impact of $6k per year) can depend on your family’s circumstances AND on the student and what they plan to study. For example, for a very strong, hard working student who was planning to study CS, I’d say that dollar figure is probably going to not be a big deal. For someone studying a less remunerative area, with more modest income prospects, it would be a larger factor.
Let me use use an example, we bought a house more than two decades ago. The price and the monthly mortgage seemed daunting. We sold it recently, we did well on it, not extremely well, but well. The old purchase price and monthly mortgage payment seem insignificant. In many cases, that would be the same for the price difference you are facing, though not always.
Cheaper is not always better, and sometimes it is. So think about these things as well. And also for a non-binary student (which would also be true of one of mine as well) environment is a consideration too. Would the higher price option be a better environment? Mine went to a school where it was more of a challenge, and then another school, with significant sexual assault issues (not in US), but better in other gender respects. Anyway, my point is, there can be significant differences in gender/sexual attitudes at schools, and they can be crucial. Maybe take that into account as well, it’s important.
one thing I would ask (as you mention that your child’s gender is non-binary ) are you viewing the smaller school as perhaps more supportive? I believe that’s worth considering.
Thanks for the thoughtful responses! As a parent, I am thinking a LOT about the environment in terms of fit—not academics or finances. The larger school has a much bigger LGBT community and vibe. The smaller school has an explicit focus on social justice, and I personally spoke to 2 GNC students in yesterday’s visit. Very nice. The kid also has ADHD with real challenges in executive function. I think there’s a greater likelihood of seeking and accepting help in a smaller environment, although it’s impossible to know what services will really be available or accepted in any school. Finally and most importantly right now, my child is having huge anxiety about separation and although they want to go to college next year, they are terrified. The big school is familiar and very close—the same town as their current HS. Reassuring…but perhaps not a real departure from the nest?
There are numerous positive aspects to both choices, and neither option would be a mistake. As I write this out I can see more clearly why a simple tangible measure (cost) would be so appealing!
If the student lives on campus, at least in the first year, then it will be a “departure from the nest”, although with relatively easy accessibility to come back for a visit.
Also, if that school is within commuting range, that can allow commuting to be an option to save money if your household financial situation unexpectedly gets worse (without corresponding FA improvement).