<p>I have applied and been accepted into both Umass Amherst and Northeastern University for a major in Computer Science and now have to choose between the two.</p>
<p>My first choice is and always has been Northeastern. However, my financial aid packages aren't making the decision that simple. I have a little less than $20,000 per year in merit aid (grants) from Northeastern. Which is great but with a $60,000/year price tag with room and board... I'll be taking out around $40,000 in loans each year. </p>
<p>My (in-state) tuition at UMASS will be significantly less. A have free tuition with the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. This does not cover fees but with grants I'm expecting to get, let's say hypothetically it ends up being $15,000 a year (haven't got official aid from Umass yet). This could be less for all I know but I know it won't be more based on what I already am certain of. </p>
<p>**<strong><em>So it's $160,000 for NEU or $60,000 for UMASS. Is the extra $100,000 worth it to go to NEU?</em></strong>**</p>
<p>NEU has the co-op, which can help offset costs. By how much is debatable. Boston is a great city to go to school in. </p>
<p>At Umass, I was also accepted into their honors college which I have heard many good things about. They are technically ranked higher in Computer Science than Northeastern though I don't think that counts for much.</p>
<p>Any advice? Thanks for any help you have to offer.</p>
<p>Commonwealth Honors College is a great place to live–brand new air conditioned dorms, suites, and appartments, great location. NO COLLEGE is worth an extra 100K of debt. . Amherst is a great college town. </p>
<p>Check out the fees, though - tuition seems very low until you see the fees - they’re as much as tuition or more. So be careful with that. Many “full tuition” (but full fees) students felt the burn last year.
Other than that, I agree: NO college is worth an extra 100K of debt.
You could still call NEU and say you got admitted to the Commonwealth College with a full tuition scholarship but your heart was set on NEU until costs came into play, is there any way for you to apply for more scholarships, get more grants, work study… so that costs aren’t so different?
It’s worth a shot. Some collges don’t negociate but some may raise your scholarship. You never know. At worst, you won’t be worse off for asking.
Commonwealth college has just opened new building and yes it’s very good, so you should be perfectly fine ;). </p>
<p>I think you guys are right. The extra 100k is not worth it. I should get my aid from UMass on April 1st and will decide then. Also I’m waiting to see if NEU updates my aid. Drexel doubled my aid after I submitted the FAFSA, before only going off of the CSS so maybe they will do the same. Drexel went from 20K to 40K (I don’t think I want to go there though) but hopefully NEU can match. If not, I think I will be happy in Amherst.</p>
<p>LOL this sounds exactly like me. I’m a CS major debating between Umass and another school. My parents actually did some reaearch and it turns out that anyone who goes directly into the workforce after getting a BS in Comp Sci are getting into amazing companies (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle etc.)</p>
<p>I got my aid from UMASS AND I’ll only be paying $5500 a year, further broadening the gap. Unless NEU does something drastic I’ll be going to Amherst. Glad to hear from everyone, it has made me more confident in my decision.</p>
