<p>I got into a number of colleges this year, but have narrowed things down to two choices. I plan on majoring in business (with an international concentration), and cost is the main issue for my family, but my parents also want me to get the best education possible. Here are my options:</p>
<p>a) Go to the honors college at my state flagship, Louisiana State University, and pay $6,500 a year. My parents can cover this cost and there are a number of classes I can test out of and get credit for. LSU's business school is ranked 62 by the USNWR. Average starting salary for graduates is $47,000.</p>
<p>b) Go to Tulane. I was admitted to the honors program, and received a good financial aid package considering the size of the school. I like New Orleans much more than Baton Rouge, but attending would involve me taking out $22,000 in Stafford loans over four years plus my parents would have to pay $10,000 a year. Tulane's business program ranks 54 in the USNWR, and there is no doubt a degree from there would hold more weight than one from LSU. Average starting salary for business graduates is $52,000, but as someone pointed out to me, the $5,000 difference from LSU means nothing because Tulane has more graduates taking jobs on the east coast where the cost of living is higher, so the difference isn't because of the better degree.</p>
<p>Which should I pick? Is Tulane worth the extra cost over LSU? Are there other factors I am missing that I should consider in my decision?</p>