I am from California, not far away from LA which is where USC is. I get accepted by both schools. I really don’t know which school should I choose. USC is more prestigious, has a better architecture program, and stronger connections. But the total cost is almost $400,000 for 5 years. Personally I hate LA and want to move out of California. Tulane gives me some scholarship which helps me a lot, don’t give me wrong, TSA is good, but TSA is not as well-known as USC’s. Few days ago, I talked to an architect that he told me USC’s architecture is the best and firms prefer students graduate from USC. I really like USC’s program but the cost is really huge, is USC really worth it for me to pay $400,000?
The fact that you asked the question certainly leads me to believe that the money is not “trivial” (I wonder how rich you have to be for $400,000 to be trivial?), but I still have to say that it really depends on what your family can afford and the prospects that they will continue to have money well in excess of that number in the future. I suppose I shouldn’t say trivial, but affordable. Comfortable to spend. You know what I am saying. And really we are not talking $400,000 but whatever the difference is between USC and Tulane. But let’s move on, assuming your family could afford USC without undue pain.
First, of course if you talk to an architect in Los Angeles (I sure wish that city had initials that didn’t match the abbreviation for Louisiana) they will favor USC by a wide margin. And I imagine USC is the more recognized school in the field. But it doesn’t sound like you want to go back to L.An. when you are done. If I am wrong about that, then USC probably is the better choice. But if you think you could end up someplace completely different, then I would go where you think you will enjoy your college years more. And of course where it is more affordable if the money is a significant factor.
Tulane’s program is, IMO, highly underrated. I don’t mean that in the rankings sense, I think rankings are complete garbage. I mean really, what do they teach you at the top 5 schools that they don’t teach you at #25? or #45? I mean it in the sense that the Tulane architecture students regularly get involved with real world projects in New Orleans that they get to see and participate in being built. Katrina was a disaster, but disasters like that leave a lot of work for engineers, architects, and others. 10 years later New Orleans is a much better place than it was, and young people continue to move in and settle there. I think there are other aspects to the Tulane program that are very engaging for the students and result in graduates that are extremely capable. Of course talent is a more individual, natural aspect but if you have it Tulane will certainly help you develop it.
Also, isn’t the USC program a B.S. after 5 years, while the Tulane program is a master’s? This might be a distinction without a difference. I have always found the degrees and accreditation procedures in architecture confusing. But I do know that when you finish after 5 years at Tulane, you are an accredited architect. Perhaps that is true with the USC degree as well and no further schooling is required.
Obviously you cannot go wrong. The safer, if more expensive, option is to choose USC. But if you are looking for a new experience on several levels, and you have the confidence that your abilities will shine through at any school, and if you can trust that the education you will receive at Tulane is excellent, rankings be damned, then choose Tulane.
I saw on your other thread where someone said that they couldn’t recommend even going into architecture because the field is “saturated” right now. All I can say is that 5 years is a long time in modern economies. One just never knows how things will be. Besides, what are you going to do instead? Pick a field you have much less interest in? Who is to say that in 5 years that field won’t be down, or even rendered nearly obsolete by technology? Ask someone that entered law school in 2006 what it was like graduating in 2009? Absent a crystal ball, it seems to me to be better to go with your interests rather than an economic snapshot.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
I love USC, but that is WAY, WAY too much $$ to spend on an architecture program.
@fallenchemist thank you for your opinion, my family can support me to go to USC, but they won’t have too much left.
Los Angeles is such an architectural wasteland compared to New Orleans. But then again, few cities in the US can compare to New Orleans on that front.
Then I would definitely save them the money. No college is worth straining finances over, and in this case I really would have a hard time saying that USC is a better choice for you than Tulane regardless of finances. You seem to be leaning towards getting out of L.An. anyway. The financial aspect just provides the tipping force, it would seem to me.