I’m from upstate NY and am deciding between these two college’s.
I currently have around 70 credits that will transfer in.
Cortland Pros
-Very Affordable Tuition- 8k per year
-Pretty nice campus with awesome new gym facility
-Would finish degree in only 3 semesters
Cons
-I’m looking to major in a computer related field or accounting, and they don’t offer these. (I’d have to settle for Economics)
-Long commute (about an hour drive one way) - But since tuition is so cheap I’d get a financial aid refund, and could put that money towards an apartment closer to campus. Probably wouldn’t happen for a couple months into the semester though
Utica College Pros
-Have degree programs that I’m interested in (Computer network security and accounting)
-Recently reduced tuition from 35,000k to just under 20,000k per year
-Closer commute. Only about a 30 minute drive one way
Cons
-Tuition isn’t too bad but still more expensive than Cortland
-Wouldn’t get financial aid refund so would most likely have to live home
-Would take semester longer to finish then if I went to Cortland
So basically it comes down to cheaper school and graduating sooner vs. doing a degree program that I’m more interested in, but paying higher tuition.
Any suggestions on which school I should pick?
Why not SUNY Poly? Also in Utica but with affordable SUNY tuition, and it has your majors. Why would you even consider going to a school that doesn’t offer your desired majors? Cortland may save you some money but it seems pretty foolish in the long run.
https://sunypoly.edu/undergraduate/network-and-computer-security/
https://sunypoly.edu/undergraduate/accounting/
I previously applied to SUNY Poly and didn’t get accepted. Not exactly sure why because my GPA is pretty solid.
Anyone have a recommendation between Cortland and Utica College?
Just to clarify… It’s not that I’m completely against economics as a major. I’d just PREFER to major in something like accounting, computer security, etc because I feel the job market for the those degree’s is stronger. If I went to Cortland and majored in economics it may require me to apply for Law School, MBA, etc after.
Planner 03- So it sounds like you’d suggest going with Utica over Cortland because of the degree programs?
How about the college’s themselves?
Are Cortland and Utica both good schools?
Would love to hear feedback from anyone that has any info! Thanks!
What about another Suny - esf, Plattsburgh, geneseo depending on your GPA?
Otherwise, I agree Utica is a better choice.
No, I am not saying Utica College over Cortland, I was just suggesting that SUNY Poly seemed like a better choice than both based on the information you provided. I am sorry to hear that you weren’t accepted.
I don’t think that it is wise to “settle” for a major, but if the cost of Utica College is a stretch that doesn’t seem like a great plan either.
There aren’t really many alternatives as far as SUNYs for a commuter in the general area however. That’s tough.
You could dorm at a SUNY for roughly the cost of Utica and you wouldn’t be driving every day. What’s your budget? Can your parents pay anything?
You can definitely go to work straight after college with a BA in economics - you don’t have to go to law school or an MBA program first, although you can if you want. SUNY Cortland has a business economics major, BTW.
If you absolutely knew you wanted to major in computer science or accounting, I’d say as a transfer student obviously go where they have your majors. Would you have to go into debt to go to Utica?
Also note that “something computer-related” is different from computer science. Majors like IT, information systems and computer network security have very different job and salary prospects than computer science.
Juillet- What would the typical entry level jobs be with a BA in business economics?
Planner03- Utica College recently lowered tuition by 42%. So the cost is affordable, it’s just a SUNY would still be a lot cheaper.
I get the feeling you seem to be somewhat against UC in general? Is it because the school isn’t that good academically? Or it it because the tuition is higher then a SUNY?
Welp, guess this thread is about done.