This resource compares Swarthmore’s economics department to those of other LACs by faculty publishing: https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html. Overall, Swarthmore certainly offers a scholarly environment, with disproportionately brilliant students.
Probably not significantly disproportionately to Penn though.
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Oh, I didn’t mean it in like a demeaning way! I attend a similar university, and the size is just a bit too much for me. I am not too sure about UNC, because I am not from NC. I visited and loved the campus. I would be happy going there, but I am just unsure of whether it would be much of a change from what I’m coming from.
I understand- you were referring to academic fit in terms of size. Well, UNC and Cornell have similar undergraduate numbers. Penn seems to have fewer undergrad students- about 10,000? It seems that all signs point to Penn! If you are accepted to Swarthmore you will have to determine if an LAC is right for you.
For sure!! I wish there wasn’t such a short turn around time for transfers, would probably have more time to think about it. I have to cancel my contract for my current school, though, by Tuesday LOL.
You are in an extremely fortunate position! I am sure that is not just luck, but very much attributable to hard and good work. Congratulations.
$18k debt for a Penn degree is easily worth it. And with all due respect to your father, you are the one going to college, not him. You said you prefer Penn, so go there.
Curious as to whether Northwestern is more or less expensive than Penn for you.
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Oh, sorry, forgot to answer! Northwestern would be around 20k in debt. I visited campus my junior year, and it was alright. I’m not sure if my perception was distorted, though, because I went in July. No one was there haha
Thank you so much!! Yes, I am very blessed and grateful. Lots and lots of hours on essays
According to College Factual, and again, grain of salt please, Swarthmore salaries are the same as Penn, and Northwestern is about $5000 less.
The decision between Swarthmore and Penn won’t be as much about potential earnings and employment opportunities, but rather about intangibles like location. Can’t go wrong either way.
Back to your Dad, saving $18k is nice. I understands why he feels that way. Looking at the salary data though, I think he’d fully understand if you explained the debt as an investment. If the earnings were the same, he might not agree with your choice, but they aren’t.
Best of luck!
The difference in salaries is regional as many from Northwestern prefer to remain in the Midwest, although positions on either coast are available.
OP: If interested in Northwestern, ask if the school will meet or beat Penn’s financial aid offer. Usually done by asking for a review of your financial aid offer & letting the school know Penn’s offer–at least at the graduate/professional school level for many elite meets full needs schools.
Nevertheless, if you really like Philadelphia & you like Penn’s offerings in your preferred area of study, then UPenn for $18,000 of total indebtedness is a very attractive option.
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https://collegescorecard.ed.gov lists median pay levels by major for recent graduates who received federal financial aid. Pay levels come from W-2 and 1040 SE numbers from the IRS, according to https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/assets/FieldOfStudyDataDocumentation.pdf (page 9).
| School | Major | Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| UNC | Economics | $51,794 |
| UNC | Business | $73,823 |
| Cornell | Economics | $69,948 |
| Northwestern | Economics | $73,035 |
| Penn | Economics | $77,087 |
| Swarthmore | Economics | $81,702 |
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From what you’ve described, it seems as if Penn is the obvious choice. 18K debt for a Penn degree is very little.
I live in Chapel Hill and know a young man who went to Penn and majored in Econ. Econ/finance is not my thing at all, but he seems do be doing very very well for himself in something like corporate mergers and acquisitions. He’s worked all over the US (Manhattan, San Francisco, etc).
That said, UNC is a great school and while there is some partying you have to be pretty smart to get into UNC in the first place. I think if you are looking for academics you will be able to find that at UNC, too. I think you could succeed either place. UNC really has an intelligent, academic vibe. Don’t get me wrong, we love our basketball, but most of the kids are here to learn.
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