UMN - TC vs UC Berkeley vs Cornell

Hey all, hope everyone is doing well.

I was admitted to the UMN - TC, Cal, and Cornell last month. I am grateful but stuck in a decision. Here is where I stand.

UMN - TC: In-state tuitiom, roughly 24k per year. Admitted for the College of Science and Engineering. Hoping to pursue computer science, neuroscience, and eventually Med School.

UC Berkeley: Admitted OOS to the College of Letters and Sciences, 67k tuition. Intend to study Comp Sci with a minor in Econ or some kind of mathematics, and work in the Bay Area in a business/finance-related field.

Cornell: Admitted with practically no aid (67k) to the college of Human Ecology for Healthcare Policy Major. Goal for working in a Healthcare Policy position/healthcare management.

As it might be clear, I have a passion for both medicine and business. I love the idea of spending my life helping people and guiding people through hardship, but I am also fascinated by understanding economic systems, computer systems, and the intersection of the two in a corporate career. Yet the option which seems to combine healthcare and business (Cornell) seems like a dead-end to me. With all respect to the institution, I am concerned Med school will be impossible after undergraduate debt, and that if I am pursuing anything related to computer science/buisness/ or finance, the Bay Area and Cal is the place to be.

For an out of state student, is UCB worth the cost? I understand the risks with the CS major, but I want to know if I can make a return on the investment in undergrad education. Most of all, any advice to help me clarify my thoughts on whether to pursue medicine or comp sci/business? I understand that “this decision has to come from myself”, but at this point I am equally inclined to both fields, and have equal exposure to both. I am concerned that I will regret giving up on a world-renowned program like Cal’s, without having made an informed decision.

Best to all. Thank you

How much undergraduate debt are you referring to? You cannot borrow more than $5,500 first year by yourself without a cosigner, and cosigned student loans are generally a bad idea.

The debt would be my parents, but considering it as a loan from them

I would have to help pay it off, as a family effort

So how much debt at each college?

260k is the tuition at UCB And Cornell my family can pay about 160k over 4 years. Leaving with about 100k. At the UMN TC, I would leave debt free give than it is 24 k and we can finance up to 40k per year

$100k of debt is quite risky for both you and your parents. The no debt (with money left over, or as a buffer against unforseen financial setbacks) option greatly reduces the chance of being forced to drop out due to lack of money or borrowing capacity, and will leave you much less restricted in career and life choices after graduation.