I have been accepted to both schools. Tulane gives me 30,000 dollars a year, but Michigan does not give me any scholarship. If I go to Michigan, because I am out-of-state, I need to pay 41,000 a year for tuition. If I choose to go to Tulane, only 18,000 a year. Tulane architecture is a 5-year program, which also gives me master degree when I graduate.
But Michigan is only a 4-year program, which gives me a bachelor degree in the end. But overall, Michigan has a much higher ranking than Tulane. So, any suggestions where should I go?
Overall they are both good schools and you will find good jobs with both of these universities. I don’t think the rank will make much of a difference on your education. Tulane looks like a better deal economically, but it is also up to you what is the best fit. I would visit both campuses if you can to see which one feels more comfortable for you. It also depends on where you want to work. When you are in school you will get internships, sometimes they will hire you after you graduate with your professional degree. So where would you rather live, the north or south? Tulane has the advantage of the economy of the sun belt, while Michigan has been declining. If I were you I would not count out Tulane because of rank. You can always get a masters at Michigan after your degree at Tulane, if you wanted the Michigan name, but the cheaper price.
thank you for your replying! I don’t really care where I work. I even want to go to middle east. My parents didn’t give me a lot of pressure on the finance. So wherever I go, they will support me. I think I will go to Tulane eventually, but I just feel not reconciled to go to Tulane which only ranks 54 according US-News after so many years of hard-working in high school. idk, man, I think I care too much about ranking and school’s name.
Four years at Michigan will cost you $74,000 more than five years at Tulane (assuming tuitions and scholarships remain consistent). That’s a significant difference - especially if any loans are involved. Also, to go on to be a practicing architect you still would need your professional degree (MArch) even after your four-year BS from Michigan. Yes, Michigan is certainly a fine school, but Tulane has a pretty good architecture program. You need to dial in all sorts of things before you decide on a school, not just its rankings.
I guess you are right!
Bazinga123456789, I think you have to take a more thorough and serious look at the money. First, will Tulane extend the $30 per year for a 5.0 MArch? If yes, the Tulane MArch will cost around $150,000.
If you do the BS+MArch at UMich you’ll be looking at $360,000 so the total difference is over $200,000. You may receive some funding in the form of grants for your MArch, but the amount is unpredictable. Let’s say $20,000 per year which brings the total to about $170,000. (Rough figures)
I think you should sit down with your parents and talk about what their lack of “pressure on the finance” really means in raw dollars. Until you know how much they are really willing and able to contribute to your education, it’s difficult to make a decision.
Of the two I’d give UMich the edge in name recognition, in the U.S. and worldwide, but whether that’s worth $200K is a question that only you and your parents can answer.
I’d also think about how committed you are to a career in architecture. If there’s a possibility that you might switch to another major, then UMich might be a better choice.
Another option, as jritch mentions, would be to attend Tulane (or your State University) for your undergraduate then move on to another architecture school for your MArch. The total cost of doing that would still be higher than the Tulane 5.0 year MArch, but not as much as 6.0 years at UMich.
@momrath thank you for explaining everything so thorough. I double-checked with Tulane, and Tulane said that 30,000 dollars scholarship is extended per year for 5 years. I did talk to my parents before more than once about the finance. My parents guarantee that they are able to support me to go whichever college that I want to go. I feel the same way that you said. I always ask myself 2 questions: Is UM really worth my family to pay so much money and how long will take me to pay them back after I graduate? I don’t feel proud to use my parents’ money to pay for my education, which is why now I want to go to Tulane more than UM. I am serious about architecture and I don’t think that I will switch to other majors during college. I value a lot on the school name, that is why I can’t determine which school should I go. By all the reasons, it seems that I should go to Tulane, but I just don’t feel reconciled to go to Tulane which only ranks 54 according US-News after so many years of hard-working in high school. I feel I deserve a well-known school.
forget to @ you.
@jritch
thank you for your replying! I don’t really care where I work. I even want to go to middle east. My parents didn’t give me a lot of pressure on the finance. So wherever I go, they will support me. I think I will go to Tulane eventually, but I just feel not reconciled to go to Tulane which only ranks 54 according US-News after so many years of hard-working in high school. idk, man, I think I care too much about ranking and school’s name.
Bazinga, It really depends on your parents financial situation – their income, their assets, their savings, their age, how many other children they have to finance. Every family is different so it’s difficult to generalize. For some a $200K outlay would be disastrous, for others it would be reasonably affordable.
I also think you have to compare architecture schools not just USNWR rankings. UMich architecture has a very good reputation as I said all over the country and all over the world. This is especially important if working outside of the U.S. may be a factor for you. Tulane also has a good and growing reputation, though it’s not as established as UMich’s, and, I believe, more regional.
I would also want to pin down how serious your parents are about asking you to repay them for the cost difference. $200K is a huge liability for an entry level architect, a debt that you would be paying off for decades. Again, I think you need to talk to your parents about the details of their “support.” It could be what they’re telling you is that they will absorb the cost whichever school you choose. Or it could be that they really expect you to pay them back.
In other words, UMich may be “worth” $200K expenditure for your parents, but it may not be “worth” $200K debt for you. These are two different scenarios. I think you have to have another, more dollar specific, conversation with them. Maybe you could work out a 50/50 arrangement with them?
Did you apply to your State University? I think that might be another option for you, especially if they have an honors program.
@momrath thank you again for explaining. I am the only child that is why my parents could afford that kind of education.
And the debt is a different story, my parents don’t force me to pay back. I just feel uncomfortable to use their money. That’s why I say that I want to pay them back when I have a job. I plan to go for Master Architecture 2 or 3 if I go to Tulane’s 5-year master program. Do you think the name will still matter if I chose to go to different school after Tulane? I did not apply for State University.
I think you have to be realistic about paying back $200K. You will be able to do it, but it will take 20+ years and will impact many of your life choices.
Talk to your parents again. If they have the money they may want to spend it on your education, your success and happiness may be enough of a “pay back.” The prestige may be important to them too.
As I said, every family is different, but generally speaking it’s difficult for parents to talk about money when our children are involved. You have to have a heart to heart talk laying all the options on the table. Consider the pluses and minuses of each one and make a decision that works for the whole family. Do this sooner rather than later, but if there are any other outstanding admits, you should be prepared to re-evaluate when you have all your results.
In the meantime, see if you can visit Tulane and UMich again (assuming you’ve visited already) to get a clearer impression.
The “undergradutate” MArch is a recent development and I’m not sure how other MArch schools view it. I would think if you’re targeting a top rated MArchI or MArch II, a BS from either Tulane or UMich would be a good start, though I think UMich may be slightly more influential in MArch admissions. The key is to get good grades as an undergraduate, especially in studio; secure good summer internships; make connections with professors and visiting architects.
@momrath thank you for all responses, they are very helpful and I really appreciate it!
@Bazinga123456789 When did you hear from Taubman?
@HopefulWolverine about a week ago