<p>Would love opinions on this. Son accepted to both schools (out-of-state).
Since both Michigan and Purdue are very similar in rankings for their engineering departments why should we pay more for Michigan? And before anyone thinks I want him to go to Purdue because it's cheaper...wrong! I'd like to see him at
Michigan - I feel it's a better school but is it worth it for him to take out
more in loans? We have two in college so loans are a must! :(</p>
<p>Given that they are so similar, my next question would be how much more money are we talking, after aid is considered? If it's not that big a difference (that is, he'd have close to the same amount in loans either way) than I'd go for Michigan. But if the difference were greater? Well, maybe Purdue really is the better place. But this is just me talking.</p>
<p>This is where I am coming from.....</p>
<p>Engineering grads do tend to get good jobs out of college, so student loan payments shouldn't be onerous for your son. However, I just had an online discussion with a number of other parents (most with young children) who were discussing their philosophies on how much to save for college, how much to expect their children to take on, etc. One thing I heard again and again from these parents was how much further along financially they'd be right now if they hadn't had their own loan payments to worry about as young adults. These are responsible people, mind you. They were trying to save for a house, and contribute to retirement, and they couldn't do those things as aggressively while they had those student loan payments. Even though every last one of them felt their educations were worth it, they wished they could have had the same experience without loans. Or with smaller loans.</p>
<p>Just my $.02 of course. Barring this recent discussion I had, I'd be screaming MICHIGAN! MICHIGAN! MICHIGAN!!!</p>
<p>Give us numbers. Will Michigan cost $35,000 and Purdue $15,000? If so, I would say go for Purdue. But if Michigan will cost $35,000 and Purdue $25,000, then I say go to Michigan.</p>