<p>My son wants to go to UIUC at 42K a year, whereas UMass Amherst is instate for us and only 17K. </p>
<p>I understand UIUC is ranked higher (5th) than UMass (around 60th) and is larger with more facilities.
Is the placement corresponding better? Does paying the extra 100K over 4 years really pay off?
I checked some website (payscale.com), and true, there is a difference between the second tier of
colleges like UIUC versus third tier like UMass. However the numbers appear to be within the
statistical margin of error. However, the first tier (MIT, Stanford) do appear to be worth it.
I think the choice of major and making good career moves or luck is more important than the choice
of school in most cases.</p>
<p>The cost and convenience of UMass Amherst is a great asset, especially if he is able to qualify
for the Commonwealth College which recently got rave reviews in the Boston Globe.</p>
<p>By the way, he also got into RPI (with $3000 off), so his total cost will be around the same as UIUC.
It is also closer to us, but for some reason he does not want to consider it. I am also interested
in opinions of UIUC versus RPI.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Well if money is not an issue, than UIUC is a no brainer. If he goes to RPI might as well go to UIUC cost wise so RPI is out. So then it becomes a question between UMASS and UIUC. With 100K in extra debt to go to UIUC, it is not worth it. I am curious, why should he consider RPI? If UIUC is just a little more and if you are going to pay that much anyway, just go to UIUC. I noticed you said it is "closer to us." Is that something important to his parents or to him? It is curious that he would be asked to consider RPI. It doesn't make sense.</p>
<p>UIUC has a much better reputation than UMass–Amherst, at least, from what I see. Plus, as an e-school, UIUC has one of the top reputations – it's not second tier.</p>
<p>Being closer is important to us (the parents), I don't believe in micro-management,
but it is always wise to keep an eye once in a while. I have heard lots of
anecdotal evidence of kids going far away to op schools and coming back
a couple of years down the road not being able to cope with the pressures. </p>
<p>I feel the best pressure is the one you impose on yourself to become
better and better. It is better to got to an easier school and shine
than be a small fish in a big pond.</p>
<p>Money is not an issue currently, but it could down the road if the
economy sours. I have a friend sending his son, a very bright
kid, to UMass Lowell who is shining there. He thinks it is a no-brainer
on which is the better choice. He does not understand why people
get sentimental about education and willing to pay top-dollar, when it
is a service like any other and you always have to consider the
cost-benefit ratio when making the decision.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>