USC vs Half Off at Other Schools - is it worth it

I am a very entrepreneurial student. I currently run 2 and have started 3 profitable businesses before the age of 18. I work really hard and have a strong passion for business and leadership. I got into USC but am not receiving any merit or financial aid. I have gotten 30k a year for Santa Clara and 34k a year from chapman and 28k a year from SMU. Is the entrepreneurial environment at USC really worth the difference and will this school give me that much better of a leg up for business development and networking than the other schools. I want to be in the right place with the right kinds of people to really build businesses and make an impact (USC is know to have very entrepreneurial student). So I’m not here to be told about salaries and post grad stats because that won’t apply to me. I plan to be self employed and create opportunity for others to have stable lives and I will work harder than anyone next to me to make it happen. Will USC really help bring out this edge in me? If I do attend USC what opportunities do I have in terms of grasping scholarships while I’m there? USC has been my dream school ever since I could remember but I don’t want debt holding me back as an entrepreneur.

If you’re entrepreneurial, you’ll do just as well from SCU or SMU, IMO. Now pick based on location. I personally think SCU is in a terrific spot

I suggest you pick Santa Clara. It will do you NO good to go to USC AND be saddled with that kind of debt as an UG.
SC is a Great school at the right price , and is right in the heart of Silicon valley- start up heaven! .
Cant do much better than that!

Congrats on 30K a year from SCU - they are not the easiest to get good merit money from! Did you get in to Leavey at SCU?

yes I’m into Leavey. What do you know about the school compared to USC?

Leavey is a very well regarded Business school - the connections in the silicon valley are very strong. Frankly, imo, between Marshall and Leavey, I wouldn’t consider them that different in terms of strength. Regardless of ranking, business schools are pretty similar, unless you throw some thing like Wharton in the mix. But even then, you can get a great education out of any business school. My feeling (fwiw) is that you would be spending the extra 30k at USC to experience the big school and that lifestyle and tap into the alumni network of USC, and not get that increased value in the business education you receive. While the USC alumni network is ridiculously strong, Leavey is super connected in the Bay Area and the SCU alumni network here is also well tied, virtually every lawyer and judge in Santa Clara County went to SCU. It is backed by prominent money across many industries.

You strike me as a very goal driven individual, so perhaps for you, “the college experience” isn’t that strong a consideration. I get that, I went to college to get a job and get on with my career, it wasn’t about me living this dream and having the best four years of my life (which those expectations these days are dangerous, but that’s another thread). So if this decision is soley based on money and business education versus 'that whole four year college-fest" kind of thing, I would have to vote for SCU. No question, that USC is more vibrant and would be a lot more lively. But you could start something pretty fab with $120k, or at least have the freedom to do so without debt. I am very familiar with both schools, feel free to PM me.

Chapman is very different in ambiance with an emphasis on theater and much smaller science departments, and no engineering. I don’t know about SMU, but have heard good things…but not enough to make a valid comment.

Cox school of business at SMU is highly rated and I was impressed on a recent tour. You would still be paying $30,000/year so you have to compare that to Santa Clara but I definitely don’t think USC is worth the extra money.

I don’t really know enough about any of these schools or their programs to give you an opinion here…but if it helps, I am in the same boat; weighing a more “fun” and higher ranked school with big money from other options. It’s tough. If you can go visit all of your options, talk to professors and current students, etc. that’s always a good step. Obviously graduating with less or no debt is a pretty big deal, but in the end if you go look and you are totally in love with USC plus your family/you can afford it or would be willing to pay off that debt for the college experience of your dreams- go for it. Otherwise, evaluate all your options with the less debt as a factor and do what feels right for you and your future.

The one thing I would say here is that SMU is a TOTALLY different vibe from USC and SCU. Just…make sure that type of environment is right for you before you decide to go there. Lots of kids from my school go there, and it seems like a very sink or swim environment that is highly focused on money and partying. Still a great school, but just make sure that’s what you want before you decide to go there. Lots of kids I know love it there, and others have really really hated it. It’s not for everyone.