<p>Been accepted to both.</p>
<p>No doubt, TEXAS!</p>
<p>Is one in-state for you? Is one or the other significantly less expensive for you? What is your expected major, and have you investigated both programs?</p>
<p>I can’t imagine any reason for picking Iowa State over Texas other than money.</p>
<p>If ISU would be significantly cheaper and you are interested in engineering or have a geographic preference, it is a fine choice. Otherwise, Texas is the obvious answer to this question. And I say that as a huge ISU fan.</p>
<p>oos tuition at utexas is about 31k/year and rising every year.</p>
<p>OMG. Texas FORSURE. business and engineering are ranked in the top 10, austin is an AMAZING town. no doubt Texas is also a bigger name than ISU, but that may be because im from texas…</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, guys! And… that was my immediate response as well, as I live in Texas.</p>
<p>However, ISU will be cheaper to attend, ironically. (ISU gave me full tuition, UT has given me zip.)</p>
<p>The idea of graduating debt free looks very appealing, however I’m just SO confused as to wonder if a diploma with the “University of Texas” will hold more weight and give me a competitive edge versus that of “Iowa State.” (I’m Liberal Arts)</p>
<p>Ahh… LIFE. The choices, the choices. </p>
<p>I guess what the real question is… does it matter what university you get your undergrad from?</p>
<p>I grew up in Iowa, and have a special fondness for ISU. Several of my relatives have gone there, and done well in life. However, as a land-grant school, the main focus of ISU throughout its history has been agricultural sciences, technology, and applied sciences. The University of Iowa, in contrast, has historically focused on the humanities, social sciences, and pure sciences. While you can certainly major in, for example, English literature at ISU, a degree from UT in this field would carry more weight. This is true for probably any other of the liberal arts. Now, if you wanted to major in agricultural economics … It is strange that you received no FA from UT, and a bunch from ISU. It does make life much more complicated, doesn’t it.</p>
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Just out of interest, what scholarships did you get at ISU that met full OOS tuition?</p>
<p>How much debt are we talking about here?
What do you want to do with that liberal arts degree?</p>
<p>Since you applied to ISU, there must have been some reason for that application. Did you choose to apply specifically because you knew you might be competitive for a full-tuition scholarship? What about ISU did you like from your research about the university?</p>
<p>Most of what you get out of college, and out of life, is up to you. You can get a great education at ISU even in a field that isn’t one that it is most often recognized for. If you are in a less common major, your classes might even be smaller, and your professors more attentive just because they have time to spend with each student. This can be a very good thing!</p>
<p>You also are correct that money is a factor. If ISU is significantly more affordable for you, and especially if the scholarship would mean that you can graduate without any debt whatsoever, then ISU may well be your best option.</p>
<p>The name on your diploma is only really useful when you look for your first job. After that, how well you did in your previous jobs is what will count. Yes, ISU isn’t as well recognized in Texas as U of T is, but who is to say that you will be headed straight back to Texas once you graduate?</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>Unless you plan to start a career in Texas, you’ll be fine with a degree from ISU, particularly in the midwest. Lots of ISU grads in Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City.</p>
<p>@noimagination I got their George Washington Carver scholarship which is essentially a merit/minority award. (I received it automatically because of National Hispanic Merit Status) I’ve estimated that my total graduating debt (this is including Financial Aid they’ve given me AND saved up money for college) about a good 50k in debt if I went to UT. (Would graduate debt free from ISU) Not completely exactly sure what I want to do yet, I’ve actually thought about switching to communications from liberal arts, right now I want to be a PR agent. I’ve changed my mind since fall when I filled out ISU & UT’s applications. 
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<p>@happymomof1 I applied to ISU because one, my cousin went there and had a great experience…absolutely loved it. Got a 70K job right out fresh with a undergrad degree! And two, because of their incredible offer for national hispanic merit scholars. I thought heck, might as well try. (Kind of safety-school minded choice.) I’ve researched, and what I’ve found has been very positive – but the UT keeps still seems to have more prestige in every area… ah! I’m going up to ISU again to visit and talk to faculty next week… hopefully that will help in the process. Thanks!!</p>
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<p>And that’s exactly the deal! Honestly, I am not a huge fan of the state I live in. I don’t want to start my career in Texas at all. I want to move northeast as soon as possible. This being said, would a UT degree limit me to just Texas and other southern states? Or is it nationally respected? Same with ISU, would a degree prepare me for a job in the competitive northeast, or will employers scoff at me? Eeep. The idea of being landlocked scares me a tad! </p>
<p>I guess…Which degree from which school would better prepare me, and better get me to the northeast?</p>
<p>If you go to UT you might change your mind about the northeast! I think UT has the much stronger national reputation, but there are a lot of northeast college grads trying for all those jobs, too.<br>
The feedback I have gotten about Iowa State from friends and relatives who have attended is that there is an extremely weak lower half of the class- many of whom don’t make it past freshman year. I see UT as having stronger overall academics.</p>
<p>Iowa State (and the Midwest in general) has been good about recruiting Mexican American/Latino students and this is further evidence that they are putting their money out there to back it up. I would opt for the debt free (assuming that means dorms are covered) situation at Iowa State.</p>
<p>50K is too much debt. Some would say it is twice as much ad you should graduate with. The only loans you are guaranteed to be able to get are the federal loans. You might not even be able to borrow the 50K you estimate that you would need.</p>
<p>With this kind of cost difference, I don’t see how you can justify attending U of T.</p>
<p>Debt free at Iowa State, definitely!</p>