UF or University of Minnesota - Twin Cities?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

Hello all! Bit of a background- I’m currently a high school senior making my final undergraduate college decision between the University of Florida and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I’ve been in a dual enrollment program for two years and have already been at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities full-time for two semesters (so I already know my way around). Through this program, I’ve completed around 60 credits. I’ve lived in the Twin Cities for almost my entire life but am not a fan of the weather. I applied to UF in hopes of starting new in Fall 2016. Senior year has come and almost gone and now it’s time to make a decision about next year.

Since I’m an OOS student at UF, tuition would be close to $43,000. My question is: is UF worth the OOS tuition when I could attend UMN-TC for close to $26,000 a year? My biggest con for the University of Minnesota is that it isn’t new and fresh; I’ve already been attending this school for a year and was looking forward to a fresh start next fall. Another tough spot is my major. Since I’m almost a junior in terms of credits, I have to declare a major almost immediately after I start next fall. As of right now, I don’t have any idea of what I want to major in. I was thinking biology for a while, and then thought maybe psychology but I’m pretty creative and artistic so I’m not sure where to begin.

I would appreciate anyone’s input if they’ve got it. Thank you! :slight_smile:

TL;DR: I’m a high-school senior deciding between UF and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I’m a MN resident so is UF worth OOS tuition? I’m accumulated close to 60 credits, have a lot of interests, but can not decide on a major.

2

Graduate from UMN and then spread your wings for graduate school

3

@spencerzx I totally agree with @ClarinetDad16 If graduate school is part of your career path, go out of state if necessary for that. It matters more where you go to grad school, and you will wish you had that extra money you spent on undergrad OOS for the more expensive costs of graduate level courses. Given that you are unsure of a major, to me, that is more reason to find yourself through classes at your least expensive option. If you absolutely knew you wanted to be a journalist (for example), then going to UF would make more sense because they have a top ranked journalism school. It’s okay that you don’t know yet, but moving just for a change of scenery when you’re unsure isn’t worth the cost to me.

4

UF tuition OOS is 28 K not 43K. Not sure where you got that number.

5

The OP seems to be including housing and other costs in the calculation as in-state tuition at UM-TC is around $14,000. In-state seems to be the best option here, and save the money for grad school.

6

Did you only apply to these two schools?
I agree that 18 and “freshman” in terms of self awareness/maturity is too early to declare a major, so that’d make me vote against attending UMN, but where would the extra money for UF come from? You can take 5.5K in loans and you can hope to earn about 3K over the summer, plus a bit over the year, but your parents would have to pay 33K to UF. Are they able to do that out of pocket (from income and savings)?