Univ of Utah vs Seattle University vs Stony Brook

College Search & Selection
1

My Freshman daughter is trying to decide between the following schools.

Univ of Utah

  • Pros: Top 100 ranked school, great STEM programs and research opportunities. Beautiful campus with easy and plentiful access to public transit (light rail/campus shuttles). Traditional college sports (football/gymnastics), New freshman dorms, graduation rate almost 70%, 17:1 Student/Professor ratio, Completed campus visit.
  • Cons: Out of state (12 hours from home), unfamiliar city with no friends/family in area, low diversity, largest campus (about 32,000 students).
  • Costs and any aid: After WUE less than $25k
  • Any special considerations: 3rd ranked choice
  • Intended Major: Chemistry

Seattle University

  • Pros: Great location and familiar with area, smaller student population (less than 8,000 students), 74% graduation rate, diverse campus, completed campus visit, good selection of freshman housing options.
  • Cons: Faith based instutition so religious classes required, close to home, most expensive tuition
  • Costs and any aid: over 30k after aid (loans/merit)
  • Any special considerations: only in-state option as waitlisted at UW Bothell, 2nd ranked choice
  • Intended Major- Chemistry

SUNY at Stony Brook

  • Pros: Well regarded school for STEM/Pre-Med students, great academic and research opportunities, convenient transit and close to NYC, most diverse of the three schools, midsize campus (about 26,000 students), 72% graduation rate
  • Cons: Farthest from home (over 2500 miles), unfamiliar area, no friends/family in area, not able to visit before accepting. housing options limited for freshman and considered more of a commuter school.
  • Costs and any aid: about 30k after aid (loans/merit)
  • Any special considerations: This was her reach school and #1 choice.
  • Intended Major: Chemistry

We will be cash flowing the cost at each school, but may pay half of total cost at beginning of school year.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

2

I don’t know about the other two, but Utah plays smaller than the enrollment would suggest. A significant number of students commute. Those who stay on campus tend to be a close knit community. My son almost chose it from OOS, even though it was one of his safeties. Lots to like about The U.

That said, if the costs are similar and Stoney Brook is her #1 choice, why is this a question? :hugs:

3

D18 is very happy at Utah coming from OOS (we are in CA). Utah is ideal for outdoorsy kids though SLC is a pleasant city. It is quite helpful to have a car (if not then you’ll probably find a friend with a car pretty quickly) because students get out to the mountains and national parks to enjoy themselves at weekends and breaks. Accommodation is good, especially the honors dorms. It is also very likely to have minimal restrictions this coming year, which may not necessarily be the case in WA or NY.

I think a key consideration is what your D likes to do outside of class, eg skiing is a big deal and those sorts of things center a lot of friend groups. Conversely going to a Broadway type show is possible but doesn’t seem to be a major social activity for college kids.

It sounds like the distance is one of your major concerns, especially with regard to the east coast. We found Utah to be quite good in that regard: drivable for move-in (~11 hours for us, D is now quite comfortable driving it on her own in one very long day) but also very easy to fly to for a quick visit. When we considered east coast schools, the complexities of travel (especially move-in/out) became quite challenging.